The second program “I MOVE ELECTRICLY” is the most generous program in all of Europe. Astypalea and Halki were the first step and we are ready to announce the next island.

Secretary General for Energy and Natural Resources Alexandra Sduku, in a separate interview with K, provides answers on the future of electrification and micromobility.

Within 16 months we had 19,000 participants in the program, and for us this shows that society has accepted it. Of these, 12,937 are bicycles, accounting for 68.5%. I personally consider this a success for Greece, as the Greeks are not used to cycling, but as a country we do not have the appropriate infrastructure. In two-wheelers, we had 4095 subscriptions, with the bulk being individuals and the rest being transport companies, and in cars (purely electric but also PHEVs) there were 1850 subscriptions.

The new program is clearly more generous. It is currently the “boldest” in Europe and will last for two years. In short: we have increased the subsidy rate from 20% to 30%, which means that we reach 8,000 euros + 1,000 euros for withdrawal. Also from three children and older we give 1000 euros for each child up to 4000 euros. We are giving young people under the age of 29 an extra €1,000 to introduce them to electromobility.
An additional incentive is being given to island-based companies as they will receive an additional €4,000 per vehicle subsidy and be able to decommission the same number of vehicles they buy. Companies will be eligible for a subsidy for the purchase and installation of chargers, provided they are used for business purposes and not for commercial use. The goal is to help island-based small and medium sized companies (such as rental companies) so they can upgrade their fleet.

This is a completely different program. Here, the subsidy reaches 17,500 euros, and the withdrawal bonus is 5,000 euros. But here we have to say that we have embarked on a complete mapping of all 180 taxi ranks in Athens in order to build the charging infrastructure. We looked at the network, set priorities and continue the process of concession to individuals to install fast chargers at special rates.

Infrastructure is a prerequisite for the development of electrification. We have deployed 10,000 new chargers and are ready to tender for their installation. At the same time, we asked road concessionaires to install chargers, and I know this has been done in many places. You need a good map so drivers know exactly where they are. In terms of fees, we have asked the RAE to monitor pricing more closely. The goal is transparency and the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

All in all, the bar is very high. The war and the pandemic have undoubtedly created challenges and problems. Of course, on the contrary, this situation, which has developed today with a war and an energy crisis, will further accelerate the development towards the abandonment of fossil fuels, greater penetration of RES and, ultimately, towards electrification. Our country, in order to achieve its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cannot remove part of the transport, since it bears the greatest share of the responsibility for pollution. So we will not slow down in the least in terms of our original goal. In other words, I believe that we will reach the goal.

This is a strategic program called “GReco Islands” aimed at transforming the country’s small, unconnected islands into models of a green economy, energy autonomy and digital innovation. We started with small islands and will slowly move on to the next ones. We are already ready to announce the next island. The main condition is the reaction of the local community, which, as we see, exists.

According to the SEAA (Automotive Dealers Importers Association) official data, there are 1,286 electric vehicles registered from the beginning of the year to June. The top seller in the first half of 2022 is the Tesla Model Y with 160 units, followed by the all-electric Fiat 500 with 133 units. In third place is another Tesla, the Model 3 with 117 sales, and in fourth place is the Volkswagen ID.4 with 107 units. Finally, the Mercedes EQA and Volkswagen ID.3 are tied for fifth place with 63 vehicles.