The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism opened today a fast charging station for electric vehicles in Velas, São Jorge Island, which is part of the public network that the Regional Government has been implementing to boost electric mobility throughout the archipelago.
"It is these small big steps that allow us to move towards an increasingly sustainable development," Marta Guerreiro said, adding that a second charging station is planned to be installed in the municipality of Calheta in the first half of this year.
Currently, this network already has 18 stations throughout the archipelago, among a total of 26, and may be consulted at http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/sreat-dre/menus/secundario/mobilidade/.
The Secretary for Energy highlighted the Government's efforts to promote electric mobility, creating "more conditions" for Azoreans to incorporate "more environmentally friendly habits."
"During this legislative term, we have been placing the issue of electric mobility on the regional agenda in a continuous and sustained manner," stressed the government official. With the establishment of the Regional Secretariat for Energy, Environment and Tourism, the Government "has reinforced the importance of joining energy and the environment in the face of today's challenges.
"The commitment to electric mobility is a strategic option in terms of energy and environmental policies, given its important role in achieving sustainable development objectives as well as in decarbonising the economy, mitigating the effects of climate change and improving energy efficiency," said the Regional Secretary.
On the occasion, Marta Guerreiro pointed out that, besides this network, there are plans to install 33 normal charging stations, through campaigns directed to various sectors of activity, namely hotels, Private Social Solidarity Institutions, hospitals, schools and industry, among others.