Italy’s carpooling growth is cutting emissions and congestion

With one of the highest car ownership rates in Europe, Italy faces urban mobility challenges, but carpooling is helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, particularly for the 30 million daily commuters.

In 2024, company carpooling in Italy generated significant environmental and economic benefits. As reported by the National Observatory on Corporate Carpooling (Osservatorio Nazionale sul Carpooling Aziendale), the number of carpooling trips increased by 71.6 %, reaching a total of 641 390 trips in the year, reflecting a growing focus on sustainable mobility. This resulted in:

• 367 192 fewer cars on the roads
• 9.6 million km and 1.26 million kg of CO₂ emissions saved
• EUR 2 million in economic savings on fuel, tolls, and parking costs

Millennials and Generation X are the most active carpoolers, with a significant portion of trips made by people in their 30s and 40s. The average carpooling trip involves 2.3 people and covers 27.5 km, though some regions record longer average trips.

Diesel cars are the most used for carpooling, but there is potential for growth in hybrid and electric vehicle usage. The leading regions in kilometres saved and CO₂ emissions reductions are Piedmont, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna. 

This demonstrates that company carpooling presents a strategic opportunity for businesses to align with sustainability goals while supporting commuters travelling from outside the city.

Author: Carla Giaume

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.