by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: FVG councilor for environmental policies, Fabio Soccimarro
Officials in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region on Thursday presented the results of Noemix, a European-funded initiative aimed at transforming public sector mobility through the use of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and renewable energy.
The program, led by the region and financed through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, has introduced a long-term leasing system for electric vehicles, supported by a wide network of charging stations and a digital platform to manage car-sharing among public entities. The project also includes a photovoltaic plant with storage systems at Trieste Airport in Ronchi, designed to cover the energy needs of the vehicle fleet while supplying additional clean energy to the grid.
So far, 502 electric vehicles have been distributed to public institutions across the region, supported by nearly 200 charging stations, 61 of which are already operational. Health care organizations have been the main beneficiaries, receiving 406 vehicles in total: 132 for the Trieste health authority (Asugi), 199 for Udine (Asufc), 74 for Pordenone (Asfo), and one for the Burlo Garofolo pediatric institute in Trieste.
Other participating institutions include the municipalities of Trieste, Udine, Pordenone, and Gorizia, the Port Authority of the Eastern Adriatic, the regional environmental protection agency (Arpa FVG), the regional student services agency (Ardiss), the Friuli plain land reclamation consortium, and Trieste Airport. Project partners include Area Science Park, the universities of Trieste and Udine, and several industry associations and technology firms.
The region has invested approximately €13.5 million plus VAT in vehicles, €2.9 million plus VAT in charging infrastructure, and €4.18 million plus VAT for the airport solar plant, of which €3.5 million was co-financed by the region.
The average cost of the service is €500 per month per vehicle, covering leasing, maintenance, charging management, and the telematics platform. Participating entities contribute based on the historical costs of the fleets being replaced, with the region covering the difference. Officials estimate the project will save 3.61 gigawatt-hours of primary energy annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 900 tons.
Regional environment councillor Fabio Scoccimarro described the initiative as more than a financial and environmental investment. “Noemix is not just a rental service,” he said. “It introduces the concept of vehicle sharing within public administration, familiarizing health workers and technical staff with electric mobility. It is a laboratory for more rational, sustainable and conscious mobility.”
Regional leaders say the project positions Friuli Venezia Giulia as a national example in the transition to low-emission transport, providing a model they believe can be replicated elsewhere in Italy.
