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Climate-friendly through Austria

And suddenly it started! After a few weeks of preparation and hoping and fear, the time had come: the trip to Tyrol can really take place, the borders to Austria are open and tourism is possible again.

With green electricity from Berlin to Innsbruck

For Kai, my travel companion and colleague at Good Travel, the InterCityExpress (ICE) 8.30 leaves Berlin at 505 a.m. Shortly before 12 noon I get on in Nuremberg and at 13.03:15.18 p.m. we reach the Bavarian capital of Munich on time. Since our connecting train to neighboring Austria does not start until two hours later, which, incidentally, was deliberately chosen to travel comfortably, we can pass the time comfortably in the botanical garden. The weather plays in our cards and so we enjoy coffee and cake until we continue at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. from Munich main station with the Eurocity Brenner (ECB) to Innsbruck main station. The journey with the Austrian Federal Railroad (ÖBB) introduces the holiday feeling, because the landscape is changing rapidly: Suddenly, green mountain meadows flanked by the Alps can be seen, and the two-hour journey serves as the first deceleration.

Enjoy the landscape from within the ÖBB

Trains from Munich run directly every other hour and every additional hour with a change to Innsbruck, which means that the transit can also be started directly, so that the stay in Munich can be made very short or as long as you like. On weekends, during the travel season from July to mid-September, there is a direct train from on Saturdays Berlin to Innsbruck to choose, which takes a good seven hours. Deutsche Bahn uses 100 percent green electricity in long-distance transport, and has been doing so since January 2018 (Austria Promotion 2021, page 13).

Emission-free thanks to e-mobility

When we arrive in the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck, we can reach the in a few minutes' walk Quick charging station of Innsbrucker Kommunalbetriebe (IKB), and find our fully charged electric vehicle from the Innsbruck start-up there WeMoveNow. We are warmly welcomed by the CFO Victoria Banken and receive an introduction to the compact electric SUV JAC e-S2, which will drive us through Tyrol for the next few days. The vehicle has a range of 275 kilometers (according to WLTP), offers enough space for up to five people and luggage, paired with a modern design and can also be charged flexibly: with a wallbox, public charging station or household socket (Schuko, high-voltage current with 16 or 32 amps). By the principle of recuperation the range of the JAC is increased with every braking process and the ECO driving profile supports a particularly energy-saving driving style.

Our e-car is charged at the Alfenalm
Study the ChargEV app over a cup of coffee

We Move Now now offers almost 40 vehicles as an e-sharing service in various categories: the 3 or 4-wheel e-Weezl for two people, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-transporters and e-cars. The special thing about We Move Now is the all-round service that all customers enjoy when they opt for a sharing model: They receive personal instruction when handing over the keys, as well as tips for energy-saving routes and charging stations at the end of the loan the vehicles will be picked up personally again. The We Move Now offer can be booked in the entire bacon belt of Innsbruck (by arrangement also in the whole of Tyrol), the prices are calculated according to category and rental period - which vary between half a day, a day, a week or a month.

Victoria recommends the app ChargeEV, with which we can quickly and easily find the nearest charging station thanks to a wide variety of filter options. On our trip from West to East Tyrol we followed their advice and stop in Brixensto charge the car battery. In cities such as Lienz in East Tyrol there are 14 charging stations available, but there are also some options in the west of Tyrol, for example in the Landhotel Stern in Obsteig - here guests can rent an e-car during their stay.

Regional buses

If you still want to do without the car entirely, you can also use the regional buses - these drive over hill and dale as well as uphill and downhill in Tyrol and bring travelers to the most remote villages. Visitors to the region can use the ÖBB service free of charge with a guest card, which is provided in many hotels and accommodations, for example in the Hotel Hinteregger in East Tyrol.

Last but not least, the Verkehrsverbund Tirol (VVT) ensures environmentally friendly mobility in the state of Tyrol by means of regional buses. For what used to be bought several tickets per trip and various timetables were offered by various transport companies, nowadays visitors have access to synchronized and organized timetables with uniform tariffs. Tyrol wants to become energy autonomous by 2050, which is why the VVT Rely on the expansion of local public transport with partner companies and create new and smart (ticket) offers in the process.

Bus stop with a view

E-Bikes

Anyone who travels with little luggage and is keen on physical activity right from the start can start the journey through Tyrol on an e-bike. There are more and more charging stations for this because the demand for them is growing steadily. In many hotels, such as the Landhotel Stern, e-bikes are offered for guests in-house. These are particularly suitable for day trips to explore the region. Away from the main road, you can immerse yourself even deeper in nature. Many well-signposted bike paths, both for normal bikes and mountain bikes, can be found everywhere. In addition, the websites of the Tyrolean tourism associations offer a good overview of the local area Services.

The e-bike went over hill and dale

Varied Tyrol

It is precisely the mixture of different mobile vehicles that makes our Tyrol trip so special. We started in Innsbruck with the e-car until we arrived at our accommodation on the sunny plateau in Mieming. During our great stay there, we were on tour with e-bikes and were able to comfortably explore the area. The crossing from the sunny plateau to East Tyrol went smoothly with a stop to charge the e-mobile. Again and again we are fascinated by the varied natural spectacle that Tyrol offers: waterfalls, mountains, meadows, rivers, lakes, in constant change. One thing is certain, nature lovers: in Tyrol there are always surprises inside!

To be environmentally friendly on the road: fun with a great view

In summary, it can be said that Tyrol offers travelers a variety of modern means of transport and options that are not only climate-friendly, but also meet the zeitgeist. The various mobility companies that are behind the offers always strive to make getting around on site even more pleasant and climate-friendly and set themselves ambitious climate goals. Especially in the train, on the e-bike or as a passenger: in the e-car, the unique landscape can be admired and, among other things, perceived at slower (higher) speed. Relaxation takes place while moving and the arrival destination can be enjoyed even better.

Tyrol - a real place of power

Cécile is a freelance author and sustainability strategist. She enjoys traveling to the fullest: getting to know different cultures, listening to other languages ​​and discovering new things either by the sea or in a (big) city always fascinates her. The stories and intentions of the Good Travel hosts are particularly important to her.

Comment

  • Mukesh

    A very informative article for ppl like me trying to drive electric when in Austria.
    You mentioned that you were recommended the chargeEV app to find charging stations in Austria, would be good to know want kind of charge card /app you used to charge the car when driving in Austria and how much was the per:kWh or per minute charges ?

    Would be glad to hear back on this.

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