The transformation of Italian cities is quietly unfolding, whether it is two wheeled, three wheeled, or single wheeled transportation. Electric micro mobility, including electric bicycles, scooters, and lightweight scooters, is reshaping the urban transportation landscape at an astonishing speed. This transformation is not only the adoption of new modes of transportation, but also marks a profound evolution in our cultural concepts of daily travel, especially in densely populated urban environments.
In 2024, data from the Italian National Shared Mobility Observatory showed that 43% of Italians had used electric micro vehicles at least once, an increase of 12% from the previous year. Our city was designed in an era where private cars became the cornerstone of urban planning, and now it is gradually adapting to this new reality. Milan, Turin, Bologna, and other Italian cities are redesigning their road networks to accommodate the growing number of lightweight, quiet, and environmentally friendly electric micro vehicles.
The technology behind these vehicles is constantly evolving. The increasingly efficient batteries, next-generation engines, lightweight materials, and intelligent management systems are rapidly transforming these vehicles from mere niche alternatives to mainstream transportation solutions. At the same time, regulatory frameworks are also striving to keep pace with this rapid development, striking a balance between innovation, safety, and respect for public spaces.
Energy comes from batteries
The evolution of lithium-ion batteries may be the most important factor in the widespread application of electric micro mobility. Recent technological developments have significantly reduced costs - by about 85% since 2010- while significantly improving energy density.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are becoming increasingly popular in the field of micro mobility due to their perfect balance of safety, durability, and cost. Its high temperature resistance and higher chemical stability make it particularly suitable for use in densely populated cities. Of particular note is the increasing adoption rate of 21700 battery cells (with a diameter of 21 millimeters and a length of 70 millimeters). This battery specification was initially introduced by Tesla and has now been applied to high-end micro mobility vehicles. The energy density of these battery cells is 30% higher than the previous specifications, allowing the most advanced electric bicycles to have a range of over 100 kilometers.
In terms of research, the laboratory of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is developing solid-state batteries, which may further revolutionize the field in the next 3-5 years. Their energy density may be twice as high as current solutions, and charging time can be reduced to less than 15 minutes.
Efficient and compact engine
In recent years, significant progress has been made in the electric motors of micro vehicles. The latest brushless permanent magnet motor has a very ideal power to weight ratio, with an efficiency of over 90%. Bosch eBike Systems has a strong market influence in Italy through partnerships with local manufacturers, and recently launched the Performance Line CX Race limited edition electric motor, which weighs only 2.75 kilograms, has a peak power of 600 watts, and a torque of 85 Newton meters.
The hub motor technology has achieved significant innovation, especially in the field of electric scooters. Acrome, an Italian startup based in Milan, has developed an integrated motor system that also incorporates regenerative electronic brakes, resulting in a 15% increase in overall system efficiency.
In terms of research, Permanent Magnet Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motors (PMASynRM) are becoming the next generation technology for micro mobility applications, providing excellent performance while using fewer rare earth materials, which is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Connectivity and software: the intelligence of micro mobility
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology is transforming simple vehicles into interconnected platforms. The integration of GPS system with Bluetooth and 4G/5G connectivity enables functions far beyond simple transportation. The Italian company Fantic has deployed a proprietary system called "Fantic Integra" in its electric bicycle models, providing directional navigation, real-time diagnosis, and even location-based anti-theft protection. In the field of shared mobility, Helbiz, headquartered in Milan, is using machine learning algorithms to optimize city vehicle positioning based on usage patterns, weather conditions, and local activities, thereby improving service operational efficiency by 40%.
The specialized operating system for electric bicycles is becoming an emerging and specific field. The COBI. Bike system acquired by Bosch has been adopted by many Italian manufacturers, which transforms users' smartphones into advanced in car computers with various functions ranging from performance analysis to health monitoring.
Sharing and Mobile-as-a-Service
The concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is fundamentally changing the way we interact with transportation, and electric micro mobility is at the forefront of this transformation. In Italy, multiple platforms are redefining the urban landscape.
Lime, a company with strong influence in Italy, has deployed replaceable batteries on its fourth generation electric vehicles, significantly reducing the impact of fleet management on logistics and improving vehicle availability. In the enterprise field, Italian startup Mobility, which focuses on enterprise micro mobility solutions, is completely changing the welfare travel plans of large enterprises by providing dedicated electric bicycle and electric scooter fleets with integrated carbon footprint monitoring platforms.
Mobility and sustainability go hand in hand
The true advantage of electric micro mobility lies in its effective integration with other modes of transportation, creating a flexible travel system. Trenitalia, the Italian railway company, has launched the "Treno+Bici" project, which includes facilities specifically designed for electric bicycles, dedicated parking spaces on new rock and pop area trains, and discounts on electric bicycle transportation. In Milan, ATM (Milan Transport Company) has set up safe parking spaces for electric bicycles and scooters near major subway stations, creating a convenient transfer hub for multimodal transportation.
The Bologna municipal government has created an electric micro transportation priority route network through the "Bicipolitana Elettrica" project, connecting train stations directly to major city attractions and achieving efficient "home to home" travel. Venice is a highly innovative example, where Vela services integrate water bus and electric scooter rental points, creating a complementary transportation system that facilitates easy travel from the historical center to mainland destinations. The autonomous province of Trento has developed the "Trentino Mobility à" application, which integrates traditional public transportation, car sharing, bike sharing, and electric scooter rental services into one platform, allowing users to plan optimized multimodal journeys.
The widespread application of electric micro vehicles has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants in Italian cities. According to a study by ENEA, replacing 5 kilometers of car travel with an electric bicycle travel equivalent to 5 kilometers can reduce approximately 0.75 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions. Considering that 60% of cities in Italy have a travel distance of less than 5 kilometers, the emission reduction potential of electric micro vehicles is enormous. The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) conducted by Politecnico di Milano shows that although battery production initially has an impact on the environment, shared electric scooters can achieve positive carbon emissions growth after replacing intensive use of cars for about four months.
Regulations are constantly evolving
The regulatory framework for electric micro vehicles in Italy has undergone a fragmented evolution and has only recently become increasingly organic, partly due to coordination with European directives. In 2022, Italian road regulations included specific provisions for electric scooters, limiting the maximum speed to 20 kilometers per hour (6 kilometers per hour in pedestrian areas), and requiring minors under the age of 18 to wear warning lights and helmets.
Electric bicycles are regulated by European law and are divided into assisted bicycles (pedal assisted electric bicycles, also known as pedal assisted bicycles, with a maximum assist speed of 25 kilometers per hour and a maximum power of 250 watts) and high-speed assisted bicycles (with a maximum assist speed of 45 kilometers per hour and a maximum power of 500 watts). High speed assisted bicycles, like light motorcycles, require license plates, insurance, and helmets. The city of Milan has introduced a "limited license" system for shared electric bicycle operators and set minimum technical requirements for vehicles, such as equipping them with advanced GPS systems and automatic speed limits in specific areas of the city.
