Il fleet renewal and the commercial vehicle fleet is urgently needed in Italy. Urgent especially if you want to achieve the goal of stopping the sale of fuel-powered cars, vans and trucks petrol and diesel, respectively, in 2035 and 2040. The decision announced by Cite (the Interministerial Committee for the ecological transition) puts the trade associations in turmoil who ask for clarity on how to achieve the goal and, in particular, on which subsidy program you want to aim to speed up the replacement of vehicles.
“In Italy they almost circulate 430.000 industrial vehicles before Euro V, counting only those with Italian license plates, of which 92% - says a note from Unrae which presented a study specially commissioned to GiPA - with over 15 years of seniority. Their replacement, with a renewal plan lasting no more than a decade, would allow reduction of CO2 emissions of 87 billion kg, a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, a cost saving of 49 billion euros, and a 48% reduction in road accidents (210.000 fewer)”.
Striking numbers, considering that the industrial vehicle sector occupies 1,25 million employees for a turnover of 344 billion, commensurate with 20% of GDP and pays each year with a tax revenue of 76,3 billion euros.
“To achieve the decarbonisation objectives of the long-distance freight transport sector and for urban logistics, ithe contribution of all technologies”, says Paolo A. Starace, President of the Industrial Vehicles Section of Unrae, the association that brings together foreign manufacturers operating in Italy.
To accompany the ecological transition, the association is asking for a “vigorous plan” for a maximum of ten years for the renewal of funds. Furthermore, the manufacturers are asking for "a technical table with the competent institutions for the adaptation of the rules of the Highway Code to the technological and business development of the sector, also implementing the provisions concerning the maximum length of 18,75 meters of articulated lorries, the revision of vehicles to private individuals, to the legislation on exceptional transport".
To ask for a multi-year plan with incentives and support is also Promotor, according to which they are needed to overcome the difficulties that the Italian market is experiencing at least four measures: the first is “a three-year plan for the scrapping of a car over 10 years old and the purchase of a new Euro 6D, with significant incentives and with the seller's obligation to double them”, explains the president of the Centro Studi, Gian Primo Quagliano. This plan must be accompanied by a further “three-year plan for the purchase of electric cars with or without scrapping with a significant incentive to be doubled by the dealer”. At the same time we need “an organic plan of transition to electric" and finally, "supports for charging points and adaptation of regulations to facilitate the installation of recharging stations and correct information to users”.
Promoter has also published estimates for 2021 and 2022. This year will close for Italy with 1,46 million car registrations, with one growth of 5,7% on 2020. Compared to 2019, however, the decrease is equal to -23,8%. For 2022, the forecast is for a slight growth compared to 2021 to 1,5 million units registered, on levels however still far from pre-pandemic levels and those reached in the period 2000-2009, when the Italian car market regularly traveled above the 2 million cars registered per year.
