Italy Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2024 - 2030)

Italy Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market Size

Italy Scooter and Motorcycle Market Trends & Growth Drivers

Fast-Charging Stations Are Trending across Italy

The rapid expansion of fast-charging infrastructure is also boosting the demand for electric scooters and motorbikes. This is due to the widespread installation of public fast chargers to aid in the uptake of EVs. The National Plan for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (PNire), which was approved in 2012 and amended in 2016, guides infrastructure and vehicle deployment at the national level. The Plan aimed for up to 13,000 normal chargers and 6,000 fast-charging stations by 2020; at the end of that year, 12,000 normal chargers and 1,700 fast chargers were in place, with a ratio of "one public charging station for every eight private charging stations," and a stock of 130,000 electric vehicles on the roads. The amended plan, which came into the effect at the end of 2021, has a target of 32,000 fast and ultra-fast chargers by 2030. Future charging station and vehicle objectives are actively being considered. More than 300 fast chargers have been pledged by private companies, and utilities have joined with automakers to deploy more than 3,000 fast chargers by 2025.

Increasing Emission Concerns Are Biggest Product Sales Driver

Just like elsewhere around the world, Italians and the country’s government are strongly concerned about the environmental degradation due to the emission of greenhouse gases from the transportation and other sectors. Thus, the government has taken various initiatives to reduce emissions in the country significantly.

Between 1990 and 2019, Italy reduced its emissions by 19.4%. Its emissions-cutting efforts and ambitions are inextricably linked to the EU policies and recommendations. The EU recently drafted a new agreement on the European Climate Law, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels, which is a significant increase over the previous goal of 40% reduction established under the umbrella of the Paris Agreement (European Commission, 2021).

Thus, Italy has announced a new target for 2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), of a 33% decrease in emissions compared to 2005. These initiatives will definitely help in augmenting the Italy electric scooter and motorcycle market growth potential.

Long charging Time Is Major Challenge for Market Players

The longer time associated with the recharging of batteries used in electric scooters and motorcycles is a key factor restraining the growth of the market in Italy. At present, these vehicles take about 3–5 hours to reach 80–100% of their battery charging capacity. Besides, electric scooters can travel 50–100 km on a single charge; hence, the ratio of the travel time of these scooters to their recharge time is 1. Thus, the battery recharging of electric variants is quite time-consuming and slow as compared to conventional scooters and motorcycles, where fueling a vehicle requires a few minutes. Moreover, the charging of these vehicles must be guarded so as to avoid any damage to batteries. Besides, overcharging the battery may lead to its permanent damage and the vehicle may no longer function properly. Thus, long charging time and the risks associated with the charging of batteries limit the adoption of electric scooters and motorcycles in the country to some extent, which, in turn, affects their market growth.

Italy Scooter and Motorcycle Market Analysis

Battery Type Analysis

• Li-ion is the higher-revenue-generating battery type in the market, accounting for 65% in 2024, which is projected to grow at the higher CAGR, of around 51.1%, during the forecast period.
• Most of the manufacturers of e-scooters and e-motorcycles choose the Li-ion battery type due to its low self-discharge rate, high energy density, and no memory effect.
• Moreover, Li-ion batteries have a longer life (more than 2,000 charge cycles) as compared to sealed lead–acid batteries (maximum 400 charge cycles).
• However, despite the fall in battery prices in recent years, Li-ion battery-powered electric two-wheelers cost more than the ones powered by sealed lead–acid batteries.
• However, automobile companies believe that customers would be willing to spend extra on a higher-quality product, which is why they continue to transition to the Li-ion chemistry.
• Moreover, Li-ion battery prices are expected to further decline in the coming years, already falling by around 97% since 1991.
• According to industry analysts, lithium-ion battery price decreased to USD 139 per kWh by 2024, and they are further expected to drop to below USD 100 per kWh by 2027.
• This is crucial for greater product acceptance, which would present a tremendous opportunity for OEMs, as more customers would be able to buy electric scooters and motorcycles.

The battery types analyzed in the report are as follows:

• Sealed Lead–Acid
• Lithium-Ion (Larger and Faster-Growing Category)

Product Analysis

• Electric scooters account for the largest share in the market, in 2024, in terms of value.
• Electric scooters are used more than electric motorcycles as the latter need more power, which means they require a bigger electric motor and battery, which pushes up their purchase cost.
• Moreover, e-scooters are among the most-cost-effective short-distance travel option, thereby driving the market’s growth.
• Low-powered motorcycles will have the highest CAGR, over the forecast period.
• This is attributed to the affordability of these automobiles over high-powered electric motorcycles and the government initiatives that encourage the former’s purchase.

The following categories have been considered:

• Scooter (Largest Category)
• Low-Powered Motorcycle (Fastest-Growing Category)
• High-Powered Motorcycle

Maximum Speed Analysis

• The 40–80 km/h category is the largest in 2024, with 55% share of the revenue.
• This is majorly due to the large-scale deployment of this type of vehicle for sharing services.
• The market is expected to witness the fastest growth in the <80 km/h category, in terms of value.
• The demand for sports motorcycles is increasing in the Italian market, owing to the presence of a large number of racing enthusiasts.
• Additionally, better performance and long-term value associated with these motorcycles are expected to help boost their sales in the coming years.

The following are the categories of this segment:

• <40 km/h
• 40–80 km/h (Largest Category)
• >80 km/h (Fastest-Growing Category)

Power Analysis

• The 6–15 kW category dominates the market in 2024.
• This is attributed to their ample speed and range and easy handling, which makes them fit for urban areas.
• The >15 kW category will have the highest CAGR, during the forecast period.
• These variants offer better performance in terms of speed and acceleration, thus appealing to motorsports enthusiasts.
• Additionally, the rising popularity of luxury two-wheelers and product portfolio expansion by OEMs drive this category.

Below are the categories of this segment:

• <1.5 kW
• 1.5–5 kW
• 6–15 kW (Largest Category)
• >15 kW (Fastest-Growing Category)

Voltage Analysis

• The largest value share, of 50%, is held by the 60 V category in 2024.
• Electric two-wheelers with a 60-V battery offer an ideal balance between performance and cost, and these batteries also better fit in the tight, constrained spaces in these vehicles.
• Further, these power sources offer ease of charging and easy removal.
• The fastest growth in the market is expected from the 100 V and above category, during 2024–2030, in terms of value.
• The better performance and mileage of these electric scooters and motorcycles are expected to drive their sales in the coming years, thereby further bolstering the market demand.

The segment is categorized as follows:

• 48 V
• 60 V (Largest Category)
• 72 V
• 100 V and Above (Fastest-Growing Category)

Cooling System Analysis

• The natural convention is the largest segment in 2024.
• This is ascribed to the simplicity, and cost-effectiveness, reliability, low maintenance requirement, design flexibility, sustainable nature, quietness, and space efficiency of the natural convention cooling system.
• Liquid is the fastest-growing category during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 51.5%.
• This is attributed to the growing demand for electric two-wheelers with more-powerful motors, which the liquid cooling technology is well-suited for.
• Additionally, this cooling system offers a better battery performance and longer life and a longer driving range.

We have studied the below-mentioned cooling systems:

• Natural Convection (Largest Category)
• Forced-Air Convection
• Liquid (Fastest-Growing Category)

Charging Time Analysis

• The <4 h category dominates the market in 2024, and it will also witness the highest CAGR, over the forecast period.
• This is attributed to the range anxiety because of the lack of charging public infrastructure.
• Currently, the best way to extend driving range is minimizing the charging time, which makes these variants popular.

The segment as the following categories:

• <4 h (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
• 4–6 h
• >6 h

Range Analysis

• The largest category, with a 2024 value share in terms of value, is 50–100 km.
• This is because of the suitability of these variants for daily urban commuting for work college or groceries, which is the most-popular use case of electric two-wheelers in Italy presently.
• Further, models that travel between 50 and 100 km on a full charge are cost-effective, compact, lightweight, and easy to charge.
• The >150 km category will be the fastest-growing during the forecast period.
• This is because of the growing trend of long drives, such as for cross-country trips across the Alps, through wine-producing regions of Tuscany and Sicily, and along the Amalfi coast.
• These models also reduce the need for charging, which eases the range anxiety among riders.

We analyzed the following ranges:

• <50 km
• 50–100 km (Largest Category)
• 101–150 km
• >150 km (Fastest-Growing Category)

Battey Capacity Analysis

• The <2kWh category is the largest, in 2024.
• Two-wheelers that have batteries with less than 2kWh of capacity are affordable to purchase, operate, and maintain; ideal for urban travel, compact, lightweight, quick-charging, and reliable.
• The fastest-growing category is >2.5 kWh, over the forecast period.
• These batteries offer longer range, higher speeds, stronger pickup, and convenience of charging via household electrical sockets.

Batteries with the following capacities are studied:

• < 2 kWh (Largest Category)
• 2–2.5 kWh
• > 2.5 kWh (Fastest-Growing Category)

Battery Charging Mode Analysis

• The non-removable category is the larger in 2024.
• Models with non-removable batteries have a simple design, lower purchase costs, better handling due to improved weight distribution, reliable and are relatively safer from thefts, affordable to maintain.
• The removable category will have the higher CAGR, in the forecast period.
• Removable batteries can be easily carried home and charged from a domestic electric supply socket.
• Additionally, an extra battery can be carried in the cargo hold, thereby increasing the driving range.

The report offers insights into the following battery charging modes:

• Removable (Faster-Growing Category)
• Non-Removable (Larger Category)

Italy Scooter and Motorcycle Market Share

The market is consolidated due to the presence of several key players, who, in recent years, have been involved in various strategic developments in order to stay ahead of their competitors. These players have been operational for a long time, which is why they are well known among the public. They also have established sales channels, and many have also begun online selling of their models. The market also poses high entry barrier for new and local OEMs due to the more-complex manufacturing process of EVs than conventional automobiles.

Italy Electric Scooter and Motorcycle Market Company News

• In April 2024, Vmoto Limited was announced as the official electric scooter supplier for EICMA Riding Fast, a new format of the Milan Motorcycle Show, organized on April 27 and 28 at the Misano World Circuit.
• In November 2023, TACITA FORMULA CORSA racing team, featuring two Tacita Discantos, was announced as a participant at the Dakar 2024 motorcycle rally, held from January 5 to 19, 2024.
• In June 2023, Askoll EVA S.p.A. launched two models of XKP electric scooter: L1 and L3.
• In March 2023, Niu Technologies entered into a partnership with Qover to launch an embedded Insurance Affinity program for the latter’s mopeds across Europe.