The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism announced today that the first fast charging stations for electric mobility will enter into operation during the second half of this year.
 
Marta Guerreiro stressed "the commitment of the Regional Government to promote electric mobility in the Region and the importance of ensuring a robust and secure network of fast charging stations for electric vehicles, which will become reality with the installation of the first eight stations until the end of the year."
 
The Secretary for Energy announced that "the procedures for the second phase of the international public tender for the supply, installation and maintenance of 16 fast charging stations under the electric mobility network of the Azores have already been launched. This represents another important step towards the encouragement of electric mobility in the archipelago."
 
The electric mobility network provides for the installation of 26 public charging stations, ensuring, at least, one in each municipality of the Region; 16 are designed to be fast charging stations.
 
During the first phase of the procedure, 16 of the 26 lots for the installation and operation of charging stations were awarded in October. As for the remaining 10 lots, the Government will ensure the acquisition of charging stations through the recently signed ARAAL collaboration contacts with municipalities. 
 
The 2019 Investment Plan of the Regional Directorate for Energy has a financial allocation over one million Euros for electric mobility in order to address the Government's priorities in this area.
 
"As a result of collaborative protocols signed with municipalities, we will also implement a series of positive discrimination measures for electric vehicle users, namely the creation of public parking spaces in order to encourage the use of these vehicles," stressed Marta Guerreiro.
 
The Regional Secretary also noted that the Azorean Government has recently approved a Proposal for Regional Legislative Decree defining the strategy for the implementation of electric mobility in the Azores, through "the implementation of support and incentive measures towards the reinforcement of the Government's investment in this sector."
 
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the end of a visit to the company Sousa & Garcês, which is dedicated to the installation of plumbing in the construction sector for more than 17 years. It also stands out for being at the forefront in the adoption of good practices towards the promotion of environmental sustainability, namely a fleet consisting of five electric vehicles, a hybrid vehicle and an electric motorcycle.