Just 3.5 percent of vehicles in Greece, including hybrid models, run on alternative fuels, according to data concerning 2016, released by the country’s infrastructure, transport and networks ministry.

As for electric vehicles, at least 395 were used in 2016, while just three approved and publically accessible electric vehicle charging stations existed last year.

According to ELINHO, the Hellenic Institute of Electric Vehicles, at least 43 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed, primarily for private use, at parking facilities.

Authorities have forecast that at least 3,500 electric vehicles will circulate in Greece in 2020, while the figure is expected to increase to 8,000 in 2025 and 15,000 in 2030.

The ministry report noted that 11 fuel stations offer both CNG and gasoline, while a further five are expected to soon open in Athens and Thessaloniki. Licensing and construction procedures are current in progress for these.

The number of conventional fuel stations selling gasoline and diesel has contracted to 5,500 amid the extended recession. Of these, 800 also offer LPG.

Authorities forecast that the number of CNG-fuled vehicles in Greece will grow ten-fold by 2020, while, by 2025, this category is expected to represent 0.5 percent of the country’s total fleet, the average level on an international scale.

The ministry pointed out that a considerable number of new publically accessible electric vehicle charging stations will need to be developed by the end of 2020 to facilitate the expected growth.

The number of CNG stations – private and public – in Greece is expected to grow to 25 in 2020, 41 in 2025 and 65 in 2030, which is regarded as insufficient. LNG station growth forecasts are even more subdued.

No investment support plans exist at present for the development of private-sector alternative fuel infrastructure as the ministry is operating on a limited budget.