Italy has launched a groundbreaking test of a self-driving vehicle designed for car sharing, marking the first such trial in Europe. The project, led by utility company A2A in collaboration with Stellantis, Politecnico di Milano, and Italy’s National Sustainable Mobility Centre, took place in the northern city of Brescia.
During the trial, a fully autonomous electric FIAT 500 city car drove one kilometer at a maximum speed of 30 km/h, simulating a car-sharing experience by picking up a passenger and arriving at a designated parking area. This test is part of A2A’s initiative to enhance urban mobility while focusing on sustainability and decarbonization.
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The vehicle, equipped to charge autonomously at A2A’s charging stations, operated under the watchful eyes of an onboard supervisor and a control room. A safety car was also present to alert road users of the ongoing autonomous driving test.
A2A CEO Renato Mazzoncini emphasized the importance of European investment in autonomous mobility, stating, “Europe cannot lag behind China and the United States, we expect a commitment at a European level after this experimental phase.”
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The project aims to reduce urban traffic and promote environmental sustainability, with tests scheduled to continue until November. According to Matteo Sergio Savaresi from Politecnico di Milano, future plans include eliminating the need for a safety driver, contingent on changes in European legislation.
