The market is back on track after the pandemic crisis and so are registrations: the latest ANFIA data (May 2021) reveals that in Italy the first four months of 2021 saw 9,163 new truck registrations, 46% more than in the same period in 2020, which was a grim one for the sector.

Incentives seem to be an important driving force for recovery: they are an opportunity to renew an ageing vehicle fleet, focusing on ‘environmentally friendliness’ and potentially better performing vehicles with a view to long-term investment.

The Italian Ministry of Transport's second call for tenders for the purchase and replacement of lorries, trailers and semi-trailers opened on 14 May, and this will also boost registrations in the coming months. The current spotlight on alternative engines, the subject of incentive policies, may be the most disruptive new development. Created to minimise emissions, these engines now also mean intelligent, cost-conscious and environmentally sensitive transport. Of course, the market share of electric or hybrid vehicles is still small, but the range of products on offer from manufacturers gives operators endless opportunities for full familiarity and appreciation of alternative engines.

Some people anticipate a possible (distant) diesel-free future, as manufacturers are increasingly producing a wide range of both commercial and industrial vehicles.

While a total phase-out of internal combustion engines may happen as early as 2040, in practice the latest generation of diesel engines is leading the way to a revival while alternative engines are slowly gaining ground.

In sum, the future is changing day by day. Transpotec Logitec is your chance to experience exhibitions of alternative engines and leading-edge diesel engines, and test drives will allow operators to discover the new features of these vehicles ‘in the field’.