I'm thinking about changing my old 2015 Fiat Punto because fuel consumption has become unsustainable. I was wondering if it really makes sense to get an electric car now, considering the still-high prices and the state of charging stations in Italy.
It depends on where you live and how you use your car. If you're in a big city with a good network of charging stations and you can charge at home or at work, an electric car is definitely worth it - the fuel consumption is ridiculously low compared to what you're spending now with your Punto. In 2026 state incentives still exist (even if they're lower than in previous years), so the initial price is less prohibitive than it seems. A mid-range electric like a Renault Zoe or a Volkswagen ID.3 you can take home for around 20-25k with discounts, which isn't that bad considering it'll last you at least 10-15 years.
The real problem is if you live in areas where charging stations are scarce or if you often take long trips. There it still makes sense to go with a hybrid, at least so you don't stress yourself out with range anxiety. But for city driving and commuting, electric is now the smartest choice: you save a ton on maintenance (no oil, filters, etc), on road taxes and obviously on fuel costs. The situation with charging stations in Italy has improved a lot compared to a few years ago, even though we're still not at Germany's level. In any case, think carefully about your actual usage before you decide.
As an electrician I can tell you that from a consumption perspective electric is a whole different thing compared to what you're paying with the Punto. But it's true that prices are still high, I won't lie to you.
The main issue is exactly what you're saying: where you live and whether you can charge at home. If you have a garage or a spot where you can install a wallbox, that already changes everything - you save a ton because you charge at night when energy costs less. If you can only rely on public charging stations though, well, it depends on how many there are in your area. In a big city it's pretty decent, but if you're in the provinces it could be a problem. And then there's the charging times, which aren't the same as filling up: a full charge at home takes hours, at fast chargers it's less but still not really like putting in gas.
But you see, a 2015 Punto at this point costs you a lot in maintenance and fuel. If you look at the total - the initial price of the electric car minus the state incentives that are still around in 2026, plus what you save every month on fuel and maintenance - in the end the numbers might actually work out for you. And then used electric cars are starting to move, so it's not like you absolutely have to get a new one. It really depends on how many km you drive a month and how you can charge. If you mostly do short trips and city driving, you're good to go.
Guys, I get the doubts but honestly I think it really depends on your habits! Personally I'm used to doing short trips - from home to the pool where I train, then maybe grocery shopping - and honestly an electric would be perfect for me. If you also mainly do city driving and you can charge at home overnight, then yeah, it's worth it! The consumption is ridiculous compared to what you're paying now with the Punto, and then you don't have to stress about engine maintenance anymore. In 2026 there are still incentives (depends on the region), so it's not a bad idea to take advantage of them!
But if you use the car for long trips or you live in an area where charging stations are still few and far between, then you should wait a bit. The situation is improving, sure, but we're not at the point where we can say everything's solved. And then the initial price is still a pretty big hit! Maybe check if you can charge at home - because charging at public stations all the time becomes a whole different story. If you can, do the math: how much are you spending on gas a month right now? Multiply it by at least three years and you'll see that the electric pays for itself!
Ultimately, my experience as a trainer has taught me that important decisions need to be made considering your specific situation, not someone else's. Try taking a test drive, talk to someone who already has an electric and drives the way you normally do. You'll see the picture becomes much clearer!
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