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.
How many times a month do you do long trips, like over 200 km in one go?
Because that's the real point. If your driving is mainly in the city or around the region and you can charge at home, then yeah, an electric car makes sense even with prices still high - maintenance and running costs are a fraction of what you're spending on gas now. But if you're the type who occasionally drives Rome to Milan without passing reliable charging stations, the reality is that in Italy we're still pretty far behind on that front, especially in the Center-South. Fast-charging times have improved but they're not what you read online when the manufacturer talks about it.
One thing the others didn't really touch on enough: check the insurance and battery costs carefully. If the car goes out of manufacturer warranty and the battery starts losing capacity, replacing it costs a ton - it's not like changing the oil filter. And insurance for electric cars still has an annoying premium in a lot of cases, though it's coming down. Factor all of this into the total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price.
If you keep the car for 8-10 years and mainly do trips the battery covers easily, you probably come out ahead. But it's not a decision you make just looking at the price list - you really need to think about how you actually use it.
The real problem that nobody's pointing out is the actual range when it's hot or cold - you'll see it drop drastically, and with a Punto that uses as much fuel as that, you're probably doing trips that aren't too short. If your usage is mainly city driving or commuting with charging guaranteed at home, then yeah, the numbers add up: you spend less than half in energy compared to what you're paying now in gas. But if you do long distances or live in an area where charging stations are still scarce and poorly distributed, you risk ending up in a frustrating situation.
On the price issue: it's true they cost more than comparable gas cars, but the used market is moving quite a bit now in 2026, so you could find something from a few years back at more reasonable prices. And then factor in regional and national incentives, which vary a ton depending on where you are - in some regions you can still get decent discounts, in others the party's basically over.
A home charger really remains the deciding factor, honestly! If you can install one it's a game changer. Otherwise think carefully about your routine: how many days a week do you do trips under 100-150 km? Because that's where an EV really wins. But if twice a week you need to go to the opposite end of the country, it might not be the right time yet.
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