One thousand euro Ztl permit for electric cars, controversy in Rome

Sparks fly over the measures that the Campidoglio is about to put in place for electric and mild hybrid cars. A one-thousand euro permit to enter limited traffic zones for fully electric vehicles and a stop to free parking in blue stripes for mild hybrid cars. These are the two measures signed on Wednesday 11 February by the councillor for mobility of Roma Capitale, Eugenio Patanè, which will be examined by the Council by the end of February.

Proposals, the Campidoglio explains, 'that are part of the measures aimed at decongesting the area of the capital's historic centre'. "The need for the measure stems from the significant increase in the number of electric vehicles in circulation and the consequent increase in the number of authorisations for access to the Ztl," Patané emphasises. "Even though these are zero-emission vehicles, this growth is affecting traffic congestion and the availability of parking spaces, especially in the historic centre.

While on the one hand there are those who rejoice, such as Legambiente Lazio, which speaks of 'sacrosanct measures' long overdue 'for a long time', on the other hand there is a clash with the opposition and associations of shopkeepers and the tourist sector. According to Fiepet-Confesercenti deputy vice-president Claudio Pica, 'the measure could have a strong negative impact on the city's economy, particularly for the activities of bars, restaurants, pizzerias and ice cream parlours in the historic centre'. And it would put 'thousands of jobs at risk'.

He is echoed by Assoturismo, according to which 'the Capitol's mission is to find money and more money without an organic and serious plan of reforms shared with us categories,' stresses president Angelo di Porto. Politics has also expressed itself on the issue. 'I hope that the Capitoline Council, as requested by our councillors, will stop and open a debate with the city on measures that involve thousands of families who have chosen to invest in electric and hybrid cars, including by evaluating the facilities for parking on the blue stripes that are now proposed to be cancelled,' says Alessio D'Amato, the Roman secretary of Azione. The Capitoline councillors of Fratelli d'Italia, Giovanni Quarzo, Stefano Erbaggi and Federico Rocca speak of 'short-sighted and punitive decisions that risk aggravating the economic crisis in the historic centre'. Moreover, these measures, in their opinion, would hit 'citizens, workers, businesses and visitors indiscriminately'. 'The impression,' they say, 'is that the Campidoglio's only goal is to find resources without a serious and shared strategy'. Even the leader of the capital group of the League, Fabrizio Santori, argues that the administration's chosen path is that of 'making cash by hitting citizens who have invested in electric and hybrid cars, precisely under the pressure of that same left-wing party that today betrays them without, of course, touching privileges and strong powers that besiege the largest Ztl in Europe'. And finally, he invites Patanè to withdraw the measure and resign.

"The measure on electric vehicles penalises businesses and artisans who have invested in the ecological transition," says Cna Roma, which calls for an immediate clarification from the Campidoglio "to evaluate corrective measures and solutions that protect businesses and guarantee a balance between environmental and economic sustainability. "Many businesses - from plant engineering to maintenance, from production activities to light logistics - operate daily within the perimeter of the Ztl to guarantee essential services to families and companies. Every additional restriction leads to increased operating costs, organisational difficulties and loss of competitiveness. The measure also risks having a negative effect on neighbourhood businesses in the historic centre. Reduced accessibility means in fact a potential reduction in customers for shops, artisan workshops, and commercial activities that already operate in a complex context, characterised by high costs and increasingly reduced margins,' underlines the president of Cna Roma, Roberto Orlandi.