One million Italians, in theory, should change the family car: according to the Highway Code it is too powerful for children who have obtained a driving license
In the age-old debate on how to encourage the modernization of the Italian car fleet, among the oldest in Europe with an average age of 12 and a half years, many have missed an element that could – or rather should – improve the situation: almost 1.1 million Italian parents are thinking about replacing the family car to allow their children new drivers to get behind the wheel. This was revealed by an investigation carried out by mUp Research For Facile.itwhich photographs a silent transformation in the national car fleet, dictated by the new rules introduced a few months ago. Coupled with government incentives for low-emission models and more flexible home finance offers, it could spur a wave of replacements. It should be remembered that the Traffic Lawssubstantially renewed with the reform that came into force on 14 December 2024, raised the power limits of cars that can be driven by new drivers (maximum of 105 kW and specification of 75 kW/t, i.e. approximately 143 and 102 HP), but at the same time extended the duration of the limitations to three years for those who have just obtained their Italian driving licence. The limit applies to petrol, diesel, mild and full hybrid vehicles, while for plug-in hybrid or electric cars, the power/weight ratio is reduced to 65 kW/t (approximately 88 HP), while still remaining within the limit of 105 kW of maximum power.
POWER PASSAGE
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Ultimately, an important step compared to the previous legislation which established limits of 70 kW and 55 kW/t respectively): in practice, today a newly licensed child can drive cars with 140 horsepower under the bonnet when previously they had to stop at 95. According to the study, 18.6% of Italian families – assuming they want their newly licensed child to drive – will have to buy a new car, but the geographical distribution shows large differences. In the North East the share drops to 10.3%, while in the South it reaches almost 24%, signaling a more marked impact in the Southern regions. The phenomenon is also particularly evident in large urban centres, where almost 28% of parents of new drivers declared they were forced (theoretically) to change cars.
a third of families are okay
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Even in Central Italy the figure remains high (37.7%), while in small municipalities under 10,000 inhabitants it reaches 40.5%, demonstrating the large presence of small-displacement cars in these situations. Another interesting aspect of the research: despite the need to share the steering wheel, 32.6% of those interviewed will not have to replace the car, as it is already compatible with the new regulations. The percentage rises to 38.8% among mothers, a sign of a greater diffusion of compact models or city cars in their mobility choices. Another 27.1% of families do not plan to purchase a new vehicle because they already own a suitable car in their fleet. In particular, in the North East, the share rises to 33%, indicating a fleet already oriented towards more efficient models. In total, the investigation of mUp Research indicates around one million the number of parents who will choose to change cars, not giving up their own vehicle, but purchasing a new one for their newly licensed children, often opting for electric or hybrid small cars.
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