For Italians, the car is still the undisputed protagonist of everyday travel. It remains the most frequently used means of transportation (77%), with 92% of Italians driving at least once a week and 65% admitting their mobility depends on it. By contrast, only 19% use public transport on a regular basis (daily or 3–5 times a week), and just 6 in 10 believe there are valid alternatives to the car in their local area.

These are the main findings of a survey on sustainable mobility in Italy conducted by the Piepoli Institute for the ECO-Festival of Sustainable Mobility and Smart Cities, held in Rome to coincide with the launch of the European Mobility Week 2025.

The survey also highlights Italy’s hesitant transition to electric cars. While registrations remain sluggish, 10% of respondents said they are considering buying an electric vehicle within the next year. However, 59% declared they are “not interested” in this type of vehicle. Barriers to adoption include high purchase costs (cited by 55%), limited driving range (43%), high energy demand (19%), and safety concerns linked to batteries (17%).

Infrastructure remains a critical issue: only 21% of Italians believe charging stations are sufficient and easily accessible. This lack is felt more strongly in central and southern regions and in smaller towns.