“The big challenge (…) is what do we do with the issue of network carrying capacity. That is, whether we can put chargers everywhere” said Kostas Karamanlis
A new application, an app for mobile phones, will be “on the air” in the next few days for the user to see where there are free charging points of electric cars, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Kostas Karamanlis announced today Wednesday. Speaking at the 6th Electromobility Conference, the minister referred to the important steps that have been taken since 2019 to strengthen electric mobility in Greece, but also to those that still need to be done, stressing that a big challenge is to be able to put chargers everywhere. Mr. Karamanlis, in principle, referred to the data, which show a rapid increase in electric mobility in our country during this period, pointing out that in 2022 8,337 electric cars were registered, when in 2019 only 480 were registered. That is, the percentage of electric cars increased from 0, 4% to almost 8% – the largest increase in the European Union. He noted that there are more than 2,000 charging points in Greece, a fact that was helped by the cooperation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport with the concessionaires on the highways. “We must now see what the problems and challenges are”, stressed Mr. Karamanlis and added that electrification must become an accessible and sustainable mode of transport. He underlined that one of the most important issues is how this sustainability will be fair. Mr. Karamanlis also noted that one of the main issues at the European Union level is the so-called 3D: Decarbonisation. Digitalisation. Decentralisation.
“The big challenge – and I think that in its second term the Mitsotakis government will have to find a solution to this part – is what we do with the network carrying capacity issue. That is, whether we can put chargers everywhere”, said Mr. Karamanlis. “Let’s not forget that we have gone through a ten-year crisis, where there was incredible disinvestment in energy issues. Now, a huge effort is being made by the Ministry of Energy, by the government, which is not easy. And I think we should also think a little outside the box”, he continued and added “DEDDIE is good, but can it help to put chargers everywhere? If it can’t, we have to find other ways, and I don’t hide from you that we are also working on other ways,” he said.
The minister explained that today one can go by road between Athens and Thessaloniki with an electric car because there are chargers every 60 to 100 km on the national road network. “Is the problem to put in fast chargers because of the capacity of the network? We went to put on the summer and we had problems with the network”, he said. “And here we go again to sustainability. How sustainable is it? How fair is it? To what extent can an average family have a car and that car be electric”, underlined Mr. Karamanlis and added: “This is the challenge and it has to do with many factors. Why the government has given incentives to buy electric cars, but let’s not hide behind our finger: Electric cars are not cheap yet. But the Mitsotakis government cannot do anything about it. But political moves are needed at the European level.” The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport also pointed out that electrification will also create a new “ecosystem” of specialties and technical services. Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the importance of public transport in reducing carbon emissions.
He pointed out that 350 electric buses and another 300 CNG buses are coming. But he pointed out that there is also the problem of where and how these buses will be charged. Mr. Karamanlis also referred to the importance of Line 4 of the Athens Metro, which has been unblocked and is proceeding, in the delivery of the extension of Line 3 to Piraeus, the extension of Line 2, in the purchase of new Metro trains for the first time since 2004, but also the renovation of trains, as well as road works to deal with traffic in Attica. Regarding the future of electric taxis, he said: “The incentives given by the government are very big, but the people who drive taxis in Athens are right. Where will they charge their vehicles? They don’t drive on the highways where every 60 km there are chargers.” So he added? “This is an issue on which the state must bend, and I’m not just talking about the central administration. The ball is now in the Local Government’s court. In other European countries the municipalities are not next, they are usually ahead of the government in these matters. I hope that all municipalities will manage to do the obvious, to issue these tenders. Because it’s nice to give incentives for taxi drivers, but on the other hand we’re talking about people who make a living from it and I understand their concerns.”
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