Cardinal (Unrae): with the tax the government is putting its hands in the pockets of the drivers

Director General of UNRE is of the opinion that the tax on diesel fuel should be increased

The increase in excise duties on diesel was not introduced by the EU, it is a decision of the Italian government, "Therefore, it collects a significant amount of additional income from the pockets of drivers. In the market", warns Andrea Cardinali, CEO of Unrae, "these things affect".However, the outlook for competition in electric charging infrastructures is positive, even as the second number of the Association of Foreign Manufacturers in Italy warns that market risks remain blocked.And instead, "with more competition, energy prices could fall."

Let's get down to business.In December, registrations increased by 2.2% but 2025 ended with a decrease of 2.1%.What assessment can be made at the end of the year?

2025 ended in the red, with only 700 records above our projections, which called for 1.525 million plates.At the end of the year there is no special additional mark.The number of car registrations in December is the same as in December 2024, and is less than half compared to 2019. And the long-term rental of "closed" cars decreased by 1.2 percent compared to the same month last year.

Electric vehicle registrations doubled in December: from less than 6,000 to more than 12,000.Or a continuous incentive?

Of course, in the short term there was.But the size of the increase due to incentives always requires great caution.The goal, as I recall, was not to restart the market, but only to orientate it.In addition, the jump in plug-in hybrids stands out in December, which was not encouraged, but only partially benefited from the new tax rates on the marginal benefit.These are definitely two important events.

Among other things, the market share of PhEV exceeds that of diesel and LPG...

One month calculations always leave the time they get.However, I see that in the end it is always the wallet that makes the purchase decisions.This also applies to discount electric cars.This also applies to diesel cars, which will probably be affected by the increase in the diesel tax announced in mid-October.This also applies to LPG, which has a stable role over time, because with gas you save about 60% compared to gasoline and because it is very cheap.

Speaking of the excise duty, a move that will weigh €600 million a year on drivers' wallets...

The Italians are so used to this kind of maneuver that they don't react.We have never seen a "yellow jelly".We are citizens and our managers have always benefited from this.However, I take the opportunity to remind you that this maneuver was not imposed by the EU, as many have said.Brussels has never wanted to increase taxes on oil, but only tried to match them with those on gasoline.

And every country is sovereign in matters of finance.

Exactly.European regulation is limited to establishing a minimum tax rate, which all but two of the EU countries exceed significantly, and Italy has always been at the top of the list.Adjustments can be made as it is, the weight between diesel and petrol.Instead, the arithmetic average was chosen, and - since the consumption of diesel is almost three times that of gasoline - a significant additional income will be collected in the pockets of drivers.Italian decision.But the dominant narrative demands all evil from Brussels.The EU only asked for the removal of the difference, claiming it was an environmentally harmful subsidy.The assumption is that diesel is more dangerous than petrol, although this is no longer the case after Euro 6D.Ironically, the lowest tax rate on diesel in Europe is lower than petrol...

OK, but the diesel fuel in circulation consists mainly of pre-Euro 6D cars, so diesel is actually more polluting than petrol in terms of NOx, SOx and PM.

In the third millennium, it would be enough to mount an optical license plate reading system on the dispensers, which could impose a different excise tax from time to time according to the engine's Euro class.However, no one has ever considered this idea.

The truth is that this approach will cost drivers more than 600 million euros per year...

Less than a year ago, the government created a convergence plan until 2030 and then saw that this money was needed. The price of industrial fuel is relatively low.And he may take advantage of this to collect everything quickly. These things affect the market.People who have diesel cars will definitely not use it less. But people who have to buy a new car may not choose a car with a diesel engine.

One last question.In the competition bill, the government implemented antitrust regulations in power, its old stronghold.How would you rate the regulation?

Agcm message of 24 December 2024 has finally found its voice in annual competition law.This is an important signal because the government has for the first time dealt a major blow to charging infrastructure, a market with a very high concentration of operators.I think it's extremely positive.Then of course the 40% limit held by the same manager is very high, from a dominant position at the local level.

The number that actually photographs the current…

I would say yes.Basically, I don't think it penalizes dominant operators.The rule only favors the entering operator "on equal terms", but the dominant will always be able to make a better offer.

Yes, but this does not mean that the incoming operator cannot offer a better offer than the dominant one.Those who enter the market often have to sacrifice reserves to make room.

True, but there is no room to give in this market.On the contrary.Those with deep pockets, because they own energy giants and multinational corporations with billions in profits, can operate at a loss in a small market niche.Something an independent operator clearly cannot do without covering his own back.

So, in your opinion, will the charging market remain blocked?

I don't think the essence of things will change, as the law only refers to new powers, but it could be a starting point.The state is starting to address the problem of concentration in the electric charging market.An area in which investment does not pay off due to insufficient working capital.With more competition, prices may drop, creating a virtuous circle in the new market and increasing circulation.In the current situation, I suspect prices will also fall and wholesale energy prices will drop.Which is known as a very serious problem for the whole country, families and companies, certainly not only for electric mobility.

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Italian Market - Cardinali (Unrae): With government fees, hand in driver's pocket

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