Sharing Mobility in the EU and Italy. A policy approach under the lens of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war against Ukraine have highlighted the need for energy security in the European Union (EU) and have prompted policymakers to reconsider their approach to mobility. Sharing mobility, which encompasses various forms of transport, such as car-sharing, bike-sharing, and e-kick scooter services, has emerged as a potential solution to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and improve energy security. This research aims to analyse EU and Italian policies related to sharing mobility under the energy security lens in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. In the first part, we conducted a comprehensive review of existing policies and identified key challenges and opportunities associated with sharing mobility. These challenges include the need for investment in infrastructure and technology, ensuring accessibility to all segments of society, and guaranteeing a smooth energy transition. In the second part, we present the latest data and trends on sharing mobility in Italy as a case study and interpret them in light of the current geopolitical situation. Our analysis shows that after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a short decline in the use of the most traditional shared mobility services (i.e., car and scooter), with consumers opting for private vehicles or the newest e-kick scooter modes of transport, recent trends suggest a gradual recovery in demand. Overall, our research highlights the potential for sharing mobility as a sustainable and energy-efficient mode of transport in the EU. However, policymakers must address the regulatory, infrastructural, and social barriers in the smoothest and most gradual way in order to ensure its widespread adoption, contribute to the region’s energy security target and guarantee the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11.