The project was entirely funded by private companies for a total of 700 thousand Euros. The renewable energy will be used both for powering the vehicles and for the energy supply in the building where the administrative offices and operation centers are located, as well as the areas for vehicles maintenance. Since most of the electricity generation in Italy derives from fossil fuels, the use of electric taxis alone is not enough to provide a real environmental benefit. However, it has been calculated that by using solar energy to power 20 electric taxis, it will be possible to save nearly 19 tons of CO2 per year.

At the beginning of 2013 up to 50 electric taxis will be on the streets. Their battery capacity will be enough to supply energy for a 150 kilometers range. The taxis will be green not only as fuel but also as looks, thanks to a green painted hood, in order to be visible and to promote their environmentally friendly approach.

This new initiative well matches the Municipal Program "Roma sceglie sostenibile" (Rome chooses green) and helps to give a new sustainable approach to the issue of local mobility, always a hot topic in big cities.

For more information please visit the official website (Italian only)