And it’s no surprise who the bright sparks were who came up with the electra dream for Astypalea.
Electra, as if I even need to tell you, is Greek for ‘The Bright One’.
And, of course, we’re all familiar with her story.
Electra, the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, saved the life of her brother Orestes by sending him away when their father was murdered.
And, of course, when he later returned, she helped him to slay their mother and Mum’s lover, Aegisthus.
Now as was the way of the Classicist-loving English Victorians it was to Ancient Greece that they turned for inspiration.
When Michael Faraday was looking for a name for his new magic fuel.
Green Greece
It is apt then that it is a Greek island which is at the centre of a bold experiment to prove that we can live entirely fossil-free and electric-full.
The Dodecanese isle of Astypalea is crossing over entirely to green sustainable energy using too the power of wave, air and sun.
Much like its esteemed antecedents did.
VW is removing gas vehicles from the island and replacing them with its e-up, ID.3, ID.4 and Seat Mó e-Scooter electric vehicles.
And has installed an electric ride-sharing program on the island.
The smart isle
All of which I learned on my odyssey around the Greek islands, the myriad of stands at the World Travel Market at the Excel in London.
About the Butterfly Island, so called because it resembles a flutterby split into two parts.
The starting point, as it must be, is that the locals are on board.
With the islanders given substantial grants, more than two-thirds of the cost, to buy EVs.
And it doesn’t stop there with ride-sharing, public transport schemes and a handy app complementing the initiative.
Leccy heaven by 2027
The target is that by 2027 all cars will be electric and all chargers on the island will be up and running.
While the culinary that the Greeks are famous for puts sustainability and local produce to the fore.
Now Astypalea is a seven and a half hour sail from Piraeus.
And that will allow you a much gentler voyage on the wind than our old pal Homer.
Before you go native and live and endorse the Electra dream for Astypalea.
