The real bestseller was the Dacia Spring — thanks to state subsidies, it can be purchased for 3,900 euros (approximately 4,600 dollars). Thus, this car is the cheapest new electric vehicle not only on the Italian market but also, likely, in all of Europe. For comparison: in Germany or France, the price of the same model starts from 17–18 thousand euros.
Mechanism of the state program
The Italian authorities allocated 597 million euros to stimulate buyers of new electric vehicles. However, to receive the maximum benefit — a discount of up to 11,000 euros — three criteria must be met:
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Turn in for recycling a car no newer than the Euro 5 standard (manufactured before 2015).
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Be registered in a locality with a population of over 50 thousand people.
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Have a family income not exceeding 30,000 euros per year.
If the income reaches up to 40,000 euros, the discount amount is reduced to 9,000 euros. For small business representatives, a reimbursement of 30% of the car's cost is provided, but not more than 20,000 euros.
Which models have dropped in price the most
| Model | Initial price | Price after discount |
|---|---|---|
| Dacia Spring | 17,900 € | 3,900 € |
| Leapmotor T03 | 18,900 € | 4,900 € |
| Fiat 500e | 21,950 € | from 9,950 € |
| Citroën e-C3 | 22,900 € | from 12,900 € |
Manufacturers have already felt the growth in demand. At Stellantis, they even joke that the Leapmotor T03 with such a discount "costs less than a bicycle."
Reasons for Italy's decision
The motive is simple: the country significantly lags behind its neighbors in the pace of transition to electric power. Electric vehicles account for only 5.2% of all sales, while the average for the European Union is 15.8%. So the government decided to act not through environmental appeals but through attractive prices.
However, analysts note that the program is designed for a limited circle of people, but it could become a powerful impetus for the market. And even if there are not many actual buyers, Italy hopes to at least double electric car sales this year.
