Cars in the city: a luxury no longer necessary
The increasing costs of owning a car in the city (purchase, financing, insurance, maintenance, fuel) can reach 4,000 euros per year. Faced with this situation, more and more city dwellers are questioning the need to own a private vehicle and are looking for cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Public transport: an economic but imperfect basis
The cheapest option is public transport, with monthly passes costing around 35 euros. However, this solution has significant disadvantages: travel times are sometimes doubled during rush hour, service is not uniform between neighborhoods, and it is inconvenient during rush hour. A 3.5km journey can take up to 30 minutes with two connections.
Electric micromobility: freedom and flexibility
Electric bicycles and scooters are an interesting alternative. The initial investment varies from 200 euros for a basic electric scooter to 400 euros for an electric bicycle. Rental services offer attractive monthly subscriptions (around 46 euros for 50 30-minute journeys), halving travel times compared to public transport.
Car-sharing: the car without constraints
Car-sharing and car-pooling offer a flexible solution for rainy days or long trips. With rates of around 0.20 euros per minute or 12 euros per hour, these services allow you to use the car only when needed, without the constraints of ownership (insurance, maintenance, parking). For a 3.5 km home-work journey, the cost is around 6 euros.
The economic impact: up to 1,450 euros in annual savings
An intelligent combination of these alternatives (electric bike in summer, car-sharing in winter) can reduce mobility costs to around 750 euros per year, compared to 1,450-4,200 euros for a private car. Once the purchase of an electric bike has been amortized, the savings can reach 1,450 euros per year.
Conclusion
Living without a car in the city is no longer a constraint, but is becoming a relevant economic and ecological choice. The key is to intelligently combine the different mobility solutions available, adapting them to your needs and climate conditions. This transition not only leads to substantial savings, but also contributes to a more sustainable and potentially healthier lifestyle.
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Francesca Bianchi graduated in economic law from the University of Milan and obtained a Master’s degree in financial risk management. She has worked for several years in major international banks, specializing in European banking regulations, such as MIFID II and IFRS 9. Passionate about sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) regulations, Francesca is committed to helping companies comply with new laws Europeans. His contributions to ComplianceJournal.it are widely appreciated for their clarity and analytical depth.