Electric mobility: the italian approach
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In 2017, the electric-mobility sector has reached high technical solutions; in terms of performances electric vehicles are now able to match combustion engines.
During the last years, the availability of electric products has grown, and now they assure a concrete choice as an alternative to classic vehicles and motorbikes; however, this does not reflect positively on markets. Data show a very low percentage of electric vehicles sold compared to thermic ones.
The main causes of these insufficient results are primarily the limited autonomy granted by electric engines, and secondly due to incredibly high purchase prices. In fact, particularly concerning the automotive sector, there are not so many electric models able to seriously compete with fuel-powered cars autonomies.
A full charge assures on average 200 kilometres, that is satisfying for an urban purpose but still insufficient for extra-urban use. Furthermore, another limit is the absence of a widespread fast-charging stations network, that is so restrictive for the diffusion of electric vehicles.
However, this is not a problematic of the scooters world, thanks to their naturally urban use, and thanks to some innovative solutions that simplify charge possibilities. It is the case of removable batteries, easy to transport and recharge at home or in the office.
The main problem in the scooter market is the absence of european and japanese major producers, that are not already largely investing in electric engines. Obviously this produce a basic sense of diffidence in customers against young or unknown brands. However, there are some positive signals: in fact, a few big manufacturers started concrete experiment with electric motorcycle.
The principal problematic connected to the limited diffusion of electric vehicles is their elevate purchase prices that are, on average, 2 or 3 times more expensive than thermic-powered vehicles. Even if they allow a remarkable saving in fuel expenditure, the purchase is still not affordable without a serious and well-planned system of incentives; nowadays it is still absent in Italy.
With electric scooters, it is possible not to pay the vehicle excise duty during the first five years; in the same period it is available a 50% sale on insurance costs. This is not applicable in the automotive market: the purchase of an electric citycar requires about 25.000€, amount that makes more convenient a thermic-motorized vehicle.
A positive factor is that two of the five autonomus italian Regions, Trentino Alto Adige and Valle d’Aosta, started incentive programs that establish a 5.000€ bonus dedicated to each citizen who wants to buy an electric car.
A comparison between Italy and other European Countries shows that italian situation is not auspicious for an immediate and positive development of the electric-automotive market, but it should be considered that mobility revolution is still in a premature step, therefore it is comprehensible that now electric mobility is an exclusive choice, reserved to experts and fans.
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