Small Electric Vehicles in Italy

 

 

 

 

These are small electric vehicles, and their charging stations, in Florence, Italy. 

 

There are more of these vehicles in Italy than in the U.S., but they are still pretty rare, and they seem to have the same problems as here: very small size, very light construction, limited range, and not enough charging stations. That said, in Florence the charging stations are free, while diesel fuel (which is what almost all the internal combustion engine cars seem to run on) is about $9 a gallon. All of the electric vehicles I looked in on carried an extra extension cord curled up inside on the floor -- a bit unsighly, suggesting a frenetic need to charge at every stop. 

 

I did not a single hybrid for some reason -- a curious absence.

 

With cars moving fairly fast on narrow streets, and with Italian drivers treating lines and intersections as "suggested guidelines," I do not think I would opt for an electric car, and indeed most have not.  The most common form of conservation-oriented transportation is the small motorcycle.