Styrian Almenland is Model Region for Electromobility

With a model region in Styrian Almenland, the likes of which does not exist anywhere else in Austria, Verbund is turning electromobility into something that can be experienced and utilized by everyone in daily (tourism) activities.

In the final stage, more than 600 electric vehicles will implement the idea of soft mobility and thereby provide important research results for the pan-Austrian development of electromobility. The target is the CO2-neutral Almenland region.

With the founding of “VERBUND-Mobile Power Region GmbH”, Verbund – together with the regional association “Naturpark Almenland” – is launching a model region unique in Austria for the establishment of electromobility. In the process, the development of electromobility in the region not only comprises the twelve Almenland municipalities and the public institutions, but also private commercial enterprises and – in particular - the local tourism operations.

In this way, (day) visitors to the region will be able to experience the scope of electromobility - beginning with a pollutant-free bus and “hiking shuttle” service and the use of electric scooters, bikes or also electric motorbikes right through to the operation of networked electric vehicles in the Almenland municipalities. Funding models are also to provide support for the region’s inhabitants in the purchase of electric vehicles.

It is intended that some 600 electric vehicles will ultimately be in use in the Almenland and that they will deliver a constant evaluation of important findings for the suitability of electromobility in daily use. In its capacity as Austria’s leading electricity company, Verbund has joined forces with partners from industry and automotive engineering in the “Austrian Mobile Power” initiative to develop the practical suitability of the implementation of electromobility.

Clean Verbund electricity from hydropower as a power source for electromobility
With the progressive expansion of electromobility in Almenland, more than 3000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) are to be avoided in the project period alone. However, this target can only be achieved if the electromobility is powered via renewable energy sources. Together with Naturpark Almenland, Verbund has spent several years pursuing a close cooperation for the region’s complete electricity supply via renewable energy sources. The target here is also the CO2-neutral Almenland region.

Austria’s leading electricity company operates 100 hydropower plants and three wind farms in Austria and therewith provides the strong foundation for the expansion of electromobility from renewable energy sources.