Electric Cars: Italy Needs to Accelerate
Among the technological alternatives proposed by the automotive industry, electric mobility is the most effective solution to reduce polluting emissions, particularly in large urban areas. Also, electric cars are thus far the most efficient instrument we have to attain decarbonization targets at the global and EU levels, from the Paris climate agreement to the national requirements of EC Climate Action. The development of electric cars, combined with the increase in power generation from renewable sources and the creation of intelligent networks for the distribution and management of energy flows, is capable of triggering a virtuous cycle in the direction of zero-emission mobility. Already today, in Italy, for example, the contribution of renewable sources to the country's energy mix exceeds 40%, with significant potential for growth and, especially, integration. The European electric car market is still at a fledgling stage, with 1% of total vehicle sales, but is growing at breakneck speed. Three are the perspectives on the obstacles that still prevent the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles in cities.
First, on the demand side, such as consumer anxiety associated with the limited battery life, high cost of electric cars, and not least the scarce knowledge of electric vehicles and their potential are the main barriers to the purchase. Forecasts about technological and industrial developments in the coming years predict that electric vehicles will be more competitive in terms of battery life and price, not least due to the development of lithium-ion battery that is bound to be more efficient when produced on a large scale, such as, for example, in the gigafactory that Tesla plans to build in the Nevada desert).
Secondly, let's look at the supply side: this is characterized by a relatively limited product range, which in many cases consists of vehicles that are not primarily designed around the electric propulsion, but above all what is striking is the general lack of industrial plans for the large-scale production of electric cars by the auto manufacturers. This phenomenon has recently been mitigated by the effect of Volkswagen scandal which has forced car makers to invest more in green vehicles, and most relevant to the EU context, the coming into force of the new emission tests in September 2017, but the trend in favor of the electric car is still uncertain.
The third aspect is provided by the way we approach policy: if the trend is on paper favorable to the growing competitiveness of electric mobility, this tendency must be supported by accompanying strategies to ensure their implementation and maximize the positive impact on the air quality and citizens' well-being. The development of integrated plans to support the demand, supply and R&D must be guided by clear and stated environmental targets, as well as objectives in terms competitiveness and sustainable socio-economic development. Delays in policy action and the lack of a comprehensive, multi-layered vision risk jeopardizing the positive spillover effects for citizens and country's social and economic advancement.
As the Court of Auditors underlined in its investigation on the stage of implementation of the National Plan for Electric Vehicles Recharging Infrastructure (PNIRE), Italy needs to substantially accelerate policies of implementation, if only because it needs to keep up with EU legislation that identifies as an economic priority the creation of a a service infrastructure for alternative fuels.