Investment in publicly-accessible chargepoints across Greece at the start of this decade will stimulate market confidence and keep pace with electric vehicle uptake trajectories.

The Greek Government policy, as depicted in the National Energy and Climate Plan and in the upcoming first Climate Law in the country, suggests that by 2030 there needs to be an exponentially higher number of electric vehicles on Greek roads, than in 2020.

The charging network will, therefore, need to expand rapidly, with tens of thousands of charging sockets required as a high proportion of private drivers will rely on public infrastructure.

Research by Cenex for JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Region) and Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE) recommends a general overprovision of chargepoints initially compared to the optimal number to counter public perceptions of scarcity.

Cenex suggests the use of incentives or policies are needed to encourage the installation of charging infrastructure until utilisation reaches self-sustainable levels.

Alexandra Sdoukou, Secretary General of Energy & Mineral Resources, said: “The development of the necessary charging infrastructure will satisfy increasing EV demand, and more importantly stimulate the transition to e-mobility across the country, helping Greece reduce carbon emissions and meet EU & National regulations and targets.

“Cenex’s detailed evaluation regarding the EV charging requirements, helped us towards forming an optimum national infrastructure strategy that shall be successfully implemented in the Greek market.”

Alan O’Brien, Chartered Engineer and Senior Advisor with JASPERS, said: “With the European Green Deal commitment to achieve Climate Neutrality by 2050, we in JASPERS are very focused on supporting EU Member States to invest in infrastructure that can help deliver on climate action.

“In fact, Greece has adopted an even more ambitious carbon reduction target than that required under the Paris Agreement, and the investment in EV Charging plays a major role in meeting that target.

“Our technical teams are working closely with our colleagues in the Ministry of Environment and Energy in accelerating the delivery of charging infrastructure in a way that will suit the needs of Greek road users, and we consider it a privilege to have the experts from Cenex support us in this important work.”

Cenex projects a high need for public chargepoints around Athens and the Viotia area, as well as South Aegean Islands and Crete, whereas Thessaly, Central Macedonia and East Macedonia & Thrace are less likely to need public chargepoints in the next five years; charging infrastructure for the highest demand from tourists should focus on Crete, the South Aegean islands, and the Ionian Islands regions.

Chris Rimmer, Infrastructure Strategy Lead at Cenex, said: “We are pleased to have worked with JASPERS to support the Ministry with analysis, insights and a vision for Publicly Accessible Chargepoints to serve Greece’s growing market for EVs.

“The Greek vehicle parc is starting to transition to plug-in vehicles, and sales are accelerating, particularly in Athens, therefore investing in public chargepoints will give drivers the confidence to maintain this EV uptake trajectory we’re seeing.”