The German Volkswagen project in Greece has set in motion its ambitious initiative of the group to transform the Aegean island of Astypalaia (Astypalea) into a smart and sustainable haven in early 2021, with the project having placed the Dodecanese Island firmly on the global map three years later.
Maik Stephan, Head of Business Development at Volkswagen Group confirmed the success of the Astypalaia experiment and Greece’s attractiveness as an investment destination for the group.
Volkswagen focused on three main pillars to implement the project: first converting the island’s cars to electric, providing the corresponding vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Alternative mobility options were also offered for permanent residents and tourists in the Volkswagen project in Greece, which included buses with zero-emissions, car-sharing and electric scooters that could be selected via an app.
Currently, over 500,000 kilometers have been covered on the island, with the island having become much more high-tech, even compared to Athens, and there is a high level of public acceptance.
As reported, though locals seemed hesitant towards the project initially, three years later they view it positively, with one in three of those asked to assess the experiment saying that they use the new services, while 55% of tourists want to return to Astypalaia specifically because of these services.
What is more Stephan emphasizes that the Astypalaia project has provided the information needed on how to transfer a similar initiative to other islands showing how it can be implemented with the contribution of stakeholders, municipalities, the government, agencies, and private entities.
It is worth noting that the automotive giant is facing challenging times in Germany, even considering the once-unthinkable option of closing factories to reduce operating costs. The company’s management is looking for ways to save 10 billion euros by 2026 in an effort to avoid more severe consequences for the group.
