vkw VLOTTE – creating charging solutions and charging infrastructure for e-mobility

In 2008/2009, Vorarlberg decided to cover 100% of its energy needs from renewables by 2050 including the whole mobility sector. Therefore, 2008 the partly public funded project VLOTTE started as one of the first measures of the model region for electromobility. One of the key targets was the market preparation for EVs in Vorarlberg and testing of practical suitability of the vehicles used. Another target was the determination of technical issues as energy consumption, noise emissions and influence of social factors like attitudes and experiences of long-term users. Executing project partner were the illwerke vkw AG, the regional energy supplier. They started with 50 E-vehicles, built a photovoltaic system on the 1400 m² roof area of the new carport located at the illwerke vkw and reactivated already existing electric charging stations. Within the first 2 years VLOTTE introduced 357 electric vehicles (EV´s) to customers, public authorities and interested private persons. VLOTTE also installed 139 public charging stations and 3 fast chargers. After this initial “project character”, VLOTTE has grown to a separate business branch of illwerke vkw in the last 10 years. In 2021, all activities in relation to e-mobility are concentrated within VLOTTE and the reached key results are impressive: more than 4500 electric cars in total; more than 16% of newly registered cars in 2021 were electric cars; 530 charging points, 76 fast chargers and 10 high power chargers are operated.