There are few things more representative of Italy than the iconic motorcycle brand Vespathe same one that seems to be in the crosshairs of the European Union and its anti-pollution policies. Although the decision was made to postpone the future Euro 7 at the end of 2023, nothing has changed with regard to the transition to ‘clean’ vehicles in 2035.
Recently, our colleagues at Motorcycle Sports have echoed this situation, where an emblem of the two-wheel sector, such as Vespa, is also threatened by European bureaucrats. However, it seems that the Italian government, with Matteo Salvini At the head (Minister of Transport), they are already working on internal regulations to grant Vespa a special status of national heritage.
Salvini argued that: “Including the Vespa on the list of vehicles of national interest to protect it from any traffic restrictions is a common-sense proposal that we actively support, in order to defend a tradition, a myth and an Italian two-wheeled symbol known and admired throughout the world.”
Vespa: An international symbol of the motorcycle world
If this decree is approved, the Italian firm would fall under a regulation where most of its models, especially those that could already be considered classic, would be exempt from compliance with anti-pollution regulations issued by the European Union.
However, not everyone agrees with this draft law. There are detractors who argue that Vespa, like other brands, should bet on implementing new technologies in its models, especially electric ones, to reduce CO₂ emissions into the environment.
In other countries such as Germany, work is also being done to promote the proliferation of other types of fuel, such as synthetic fuels. In addition, new technologies such as hybrids or the use of hydrogen as an energy source could help Vespa and other brands to update their range of models without fear of EU impositions.
