Electrification of the European road transport sector and the Italian example

executive summary

The European Union (EU) has been increasingly tackling the climate challenge since the launch of the European Green Deal in 2019, especially with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving the EU’s goal requires contributions from all sectors, including electricity, industry, buildings and transport. The transport sector has large emissions, accounting for almost a quarter of the total emissions of the 27 EU member states (EU-27) in 2021. Road transport in particular is highly dependent on fossil fuels, and therefore accounts for more than 75% of the transport sector’s total emissions. Unlike other sectors, emissions from this sector have increased significantly since 1990, and therefore additional policies and measures are needed.

While EVs are growing in importance and will be an increasingly important element in decarbonization, policymakers need to address key issues, especially ensuring infrastructure (e.g. charging stations) for a sustainable and smooth transition. As one of Europe’s largest car markets, Italy has a lot of work to do to decarbonize road transport. Although alternative fuels are being developed, electricity still accounts for less than 0.3% of vehicle fuel. Italy has set an ambitious EV target of 6.6 million cars by 2030, including 4.3 million BEVs.

This article examines Europe’s growing ambition to electrify the sector and its political and market drivers, presents the Italian case study including national objectives, trends and challenges in the transition, and outlines key takeaways and policy recommendations to further support the electrification of the road transport sector, particularly in Italy.

Pier Paolo Raimondi is a researcher in the Energy, Climate and Resources Program at the Institute of International Relations (IAI) in Rome. His main research topics relate to energy markets, energy policies, energy geopolitics and geoeconomics. He is also a PhD student in Institutional and Political Science at the Catholic University of Milan. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Milan.

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