Italy Driverless Car Project Pushes for EU-Wide Strategy
Jan 29, 2025 - wardsauto.com
An autonomous Fiat 500e is being tested on the streets of Brescia, Italy, marking the first trial of its kind in Europe. The project, led by energy provider A2A in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and Italy's National Sustainable Mobility Centre, aims to enhance urban sustainability by reducing traffic and emissions. The car autonomously travels 1 km from a charging station to a parking lot at a maximum speed of 18.6 mph, simulating a ride-hailing experience. Tests are monitored by a supervisor and accompanied by a safety car to alert other road users. The vehicle can also charge itself without human intervention, with trials continuing until November.
The test area includes Brescia's historic center and surrounding districts. A2A CEO Renato Mazzoncini emphasizes the importance of Europe keeping pace with China and the United States in autonomous vehicle technology. The project seeks to contribute to the decarbonization of cities and promote environmental sustainability. Future tests are planned once or twice a month, with the hope of encouraging a broader European commitment to autonomous driving following this experimental phase.
Key takeaways:
An autonomous Fiat 500e is being tested in Brescia, Italy, marking the first test of its kind in Europe.
The project aims to contribute to decarbonizing cities, traffic reduction, and environmental sustainability.
The self-driving car can charge autonomously and is monitored by a supervisor and a safety car during tests.
The experimental phase will last until November, with tests occurring once or twice a month across a large part of Brescia.
