E-scooter pilot programme introduced on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast Tourism District in Italy has launched a three-month pilot programme on electric micro mobility to complement maritime and other land transport in the area. The programme is part of a larger project on electric mobility, which includes the installation of 37 e-charging stations to support the use of electric vehicles. The pilot on shared electric scooters is focused on the Amalfi State Road, 21 kilometres of road along the Tyrrhenian Sea from Amalfi to Vietri.

The main aim of the initiative is to reduce the environmental impact and congestion resulting from the vehicle traffic on the road, as well as to support residents’ commuting. Moreover, it is hoped that being able to use electric scooters along the coastal road will enhance the experience of those who visit the Amalfi Coast.

“It is an experimental phase that will help us understand how applicable this type of light mobility is in such a particular place as the coast and how it can be developed in the future. In this first phase we involved private individuals. After this test period, we could also involve administrations, institutional bodies and young start-ups who want to invest in innovative and sustainable projects for the future", said Andrea Ferraioli, President of the Amalfi Coast Tourism District.

Electric scooters have a range of up to 60 km and can be used on slopes of up to 15°. The service works via an app on a smartphone, and is supported by a dedicated, real-time customer service via Whatsapp that operates every day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., as well as an automatic response system for additional time slots. Following on from the recent Italian national regulations on micro-mobility, e-scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 20 km/h and can be driven only by people over 18 years of age. In addition, from half an hour after sunset up to half an hour before sunrise, it is mandatory to wear a reflective high visibility vest on an e-scooter and to keep the scooters' lights on.

Original article published by positanonews.it on 19 July 2020.