Cleaner Private Vehicles

Implementing sustainable mobility

Bologna has made the promotion of private vehicle renewal a priority since 2007 as part of its urban traffic plan. With CIVITAS MIMOSA, Bologna wants to give its efforts a boost.

The main objectives of the measure are to:

>> Reduce polluting emissions in the urban area; and
>> Save energy in the transport sector.

Bologna wants to encourage private car owners to shift from petrol to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).  The municipality will promote the purchase of cleaner vehicles that are equipped with eco-technology.

How is the measure progressing

Bologna has received €665,000 from the Emilia Romagna region to support the campaign for private vehicle fuel shifts to methane or LPG. The municipality has decided to exempt vehicles operating on LPG and methane from circulation limitations, which are foreseen under an agreement between the Emilia Romagna region and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants on air quality and traffic limitations that has been renewed in October 2010. The city has launched an information campaign to spread awareness of the incentives for a shift to methane or LPG. For evaluation, Bologna has been collecting data with reference to motor technology and pollution category of the private vehicle fleet.

What are the expected results of the measure

Bologna expects from this measure:

>> An increase in private vehicles powered by LPG or CNG to a share of 8-10 percent of the total vehicle fleet within four years.
The statistics office of the municipality of Bologna shows that the city has already exceeded this target. Data shows that:
>> The share of vehicles fuelled by LPG or methane that are circulating Bologna has already reached 15 percent.