Sustainable mobility: the Ci.Ro. electric car sharing project launches in Naples.

ELECTRIC CAR SHARING NAPLES – Encourage the sustainable mobility and at the same time offer to motorists the opportunity to move around in complete tranquility even within the limited traffic zones, park on blue lines and use preferential lanes: these are the main objectives of “Ci.Ro. City Roaming”, an innovative project developed for Naples byNaples Smart City Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Naples and funding from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR).

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THE “CI.RO.” PROJECT – The initiative, which will start in an experimental phase on March 1st and which uses 100 percent electric Renault ZOE, Kangoo ZE and Fluence ZE vehicles, is based on research conducted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the young people of Naples Smart City which led to the development of an innovative system of urban mobility which introduces important innovations for traffic and the sharing of electric vehicles. But not only that: these are also added services for citizens of infomobility and zero-mile administration.

In particular, this new system sees the presence on the vehicle of new software and new hardware capable of optimizing vehicle circulation in the city by combining classic navigation functions with a new exploration system that provides information on the area, for example tourist sites, restaurants, shops, and allows tourists to easily locate their chosen destination.

Eight Renault ZOEs will be available to users who request the service, while the Renault Fluence ZE will be used for testing purposes. car sharing by local public bodies including the Municipality of Naples.

The van sharing service will instead be provided through the three Renault Kangoo ZE, an electric van perfect for transporting and delivering goods in the city.

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THE CI.RO. POINTS OF NAPLES – All Ci.Ro. points located in various neighborhoods and strategic points of the city are equipped with interactive totems where you can sign up for the car sharing service and complete administrative procedures. For now, it will be possible to obtain parking permits for residents in areas with blue-striped parking spaces, thus eliminating the need to physically visit the agency office and simplifying the issuance and payment procedures.

“CI.RO.” PROJECT, HOW TO BOOK THE VEHICLE – Vehicle reservations can be made through the project's dedicated website or the dedicated app. No subscription is required, which is important because it allows tourists to easily use the system. Once booked, the vehicle It can be picked up at any Ci.Ro. point. The same applies to returning the vehicle.

THE EXPERIMENTAL PHASE OF THE CI.RO. PROJECT – During the project's initial pilot phase, citizens and tourists participating in the test will be able to use the service completely free of charge. Subsequently, based on the results obtained, the cost of the service will be assessed, also taking into account management costs.

THE BENEFITS OF THE CI.RO. PROJECT – An important initiative that brings with it a double benefit: first of all environmental, as it allows to reduce traffic and consequently also harmful and polluting emissions and secondly, it is practical because it allows users who sign up for the service to move around the city with greater freedom and convenience and avoid wasting time physically traveling to offices to complete their administrative procedures.

TAXI DRIVERS' PROTEST AGAINST THE CI.RO PROJECT – An initiative with countless benefits which however was met with protests carried out by the taxi drivers who, in recent days, have expressed their disapproval of the discounts offered to certain types of electric cars. As we read in Il Mattino and as Ciro Langella, president of Uticonsortaxi of Naples, stated: "We've been calling for years for action to reduce the inconvenience and difficulties facing taxi drivers, but nothing has been done. Today, we discover that, instead, a series of traffic and logistical benefits are being implemented for certain types of electric vehicles. Furthermore, these vehicles enjoy tax and tariff benefits, such as the option to insure themselves like trucks, while taxi drivers have always been denied any support, including insurance, which has absolutely prohibitive rates. We demand that someone clarify and provide answers to the issues we've been raising for some time and which can no longer be postponed.Naples Mayor Luigi De Magistris assured that the organization of mobility within the city will be carried out in collaboration with taxi drivers.

While waiting for a solution that can bring benefits to both parties, Car sharing in the city undoubtedly remains an important opportunity to make urban centers more liveable in full compliance with the Non-Sprecare philosophy..

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