ROME – There is almost never a single cure for so many ailments. A relatively obvious consideration that also applies to the automobile, a global industry, destined to take the most unexpected blows. Like the pandemic
appeared at the beginning of 2020 and not yet completely defeated. Like the semiconductor crisis, a consequence of the pandemic that forced many production plants to close, especially in China and the rest of Asia. A crisis, the latter, which hit the automotive sector hard, given the very high number of chips present in the latest generation models: “no chip, no car” was for all the synthesis of a situation, fortunately, in way of solution.
All right, then? The war in Ukraine has arrived, the conflict of horrors that no one wanted, the consequences of which have affected all the markets of the planet. And of course also the already precarious destinies of the automotive industries. Thus, sales that were already failing plummeted further. Among models that do not arrive, factories closed or halved and uncertainties on the part of consumers, there is one fact that scared everyone in Italy: the 30 percent drop in sales in March. A number that if compared with that of the same month preceding the Covid-19 crisis (2019), reaches as much as 38.5%, as evidenced by the calculations of the Centro Studi Promotor. An unfortunate month, therefore, where the “announcement effect” of the incentives probably weighed, which, on the other hand, arrived only in April to become operational in early May. Yes, the incentives. Not “the” definitive cure but certainly a signal to restart. First because it is not, at least for this time, a measure of a few months (they will last until 2024, therefore, they will be reshaped) then because they clearly indicate that the path to follow is that of ecological transition.
Focusing on electric and hybrid means marrying the mobility revolution. Finally, it indicates that we will all have to try to change our pace and idea of the car. What you see on the horizon will be electric or in any case with very low emissions and will be used with more intelligence and less waste. In short, with all due respect to the “electro-skeptics”, the way is marked. The industry is already quite ahead with the models, the new production platforms and the reorganization of the factories. Technology is making great strides and soon the new generation batteries will extend the range of electric cars up to over 800 kilometers and above all they will cost much less than now. Will all this be enough? Probably not. The obstacle to be removed is that of the infrastructures, that is the famous charging stations, today particularly lacking in Italy. In this case, the newly approved incentives can do little. The last mile is missing and its realization depends neither on the industry nor on the motorists. This is another cure that, added to that of the incentives, can perhaps really get everything back in motion.