Brescia Leads the Charge in Sustainable Mobility Innovation

Brescia, Italy, is emerging as a key testbed for innovative sustainable mobility solutions, encompassing incentive programs, electric vehicle adoption, and autonomous car-sharing initiatives. These efforts, driven by the Municipality of Brescia and collaborations with institutions like Politecnico di Milano and A2A, aim to reduce traffic congestion, improve environmental sustainability, and create a more efficient urban transportation ecosystem.

Incentivizing Sustainable Choices

The Municipality of Brescia is actively experimenting with bonus systems to encourage citizens to adopt more sustainable travel behaviors. As part of the city’s Climate Transition Strategy, approved in June 2021, these reward policies aim to promote the use of public transport and bicycles for commuting [1]. The city is exploring methods to change user behavior through various reward systems, drawing on case studies of successful implementations elsewhere.

Autonomous Car-Sharing Takes to the Streets

In January 2025, Brescia became the first city in Europe to launch an innovative autonomous car-sharing model [2]. Developed by Politecnico di Milano and A2A, as part of the MOST (National Centre for Sustainable Mobility) research program, the system utilizes electric Fiat 500 vehicles capable of navigating to users independently and returning to charging stations or new customers autonomously. This approach seeks to address operational challenges inherent in traditional car-sharing services and reduce the overall number of vehicles circulating in the city.

A Focus on Electric Vehicles

The introduction of the autonomous car-sharing fleet features electric Fiat 500s, highlighting Brescia’s commitment to electric mobility. The project builds on Politecnico di Milano’s expertise in autonomous driving systems, gained through competitions and the 2023 and 2024 editions of the 1000 Miglia, as well as wireless recharging technologies [2]. The Audi Q4 e-tron, with a range of up to 520 km, as well represents a growing presence of electric vehicles in the region.

Gamification and Engagement with BrESCI

Brescia Mobilità S.p.A. Is employing gamification to further promote sustainable mobility through the BrESCI app [4]. Integrated with existing mobility services, the app tracks users’ travel choices—including cycling—and awards points based on sustainability. These points can be redeemed for rewards like travel passes and discounts, fostering active citizen engagement and providing valuable data for urban planning.

Key Takeaways

• Brescia is actively implementing a multi-faceted approach to sustainable mobility.
• Incentive programs are being tested to encourage the use of public transport and cycling.
• The city is pioneering autonomous car-sharing with electric vehicles.
• Gamification is being used to engage citizens and promote sustainable choices.