The Italian market for buses over 8 tonnes is growing strongly: +81% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The data is taken from the Anfia ("National Automotive Industry Association") statistics portal. During this period, 1,933 buses were registered compared to 1,068 the previous year. Intercity buses accounted for half of the registrations, whereas the tourism sector recorded a 50% increase. Analysing the results by region, the performances of Trentino and Molise stand out. Trentino recorded an increase of +3,400% with 245 registrations, while Molise recorded an increase of +1,200% with 65 registrations.

Registrations, especially of urban and intercity buses, are set to grow in the coming months. Cotrap's tender for 456 intercity buses and the Sardinia Region's tender for 306 Class II buses (60 of which are electric) will give a further breath of fresh air to a market segment burdened by some 10 thousand Euro 2 and Euro 3 units that are still circulating but, by law, will have to be decommissioned. The outlook for urban electric vehicles is also optimistic. There are currently around 2,500 units on offer, thanks mainly to Consip tenders, plus orders from Rome (411 electric buses), Turin and Milan with 225 and 340 e-buses respectively, and Tper Bologna, which has announced the purchase of 583 low-impact vehicles. Busitalia and Autoguidovie have already signed contracts for the purchase of a total of 270 electric buses, while Autolinee Toscane (Ratp Group) has planned an investment of 450 million euro for the renewal of its fleet. In other words, orders now already cover the entire production capacity for 2024.