After 16th March, fewer than 45% of company cars or private vehicles on long-term leases were still circulating. This figure drops to 31.6% for short-term rentals.

The variability of the data at regional levels reflects the intensity with which each area experienced the emergency.

In Lombardy, the region hardest hit by the crisis, both sets of figures are significantly lower: the percentage of cars belonging to company fleets or long-term private contract hire still circulating accounted for 35.6% of the total and fewer still, only 23.6%, for short-term rentals.

This data was provided by Targa Telematics, a company specialising in technological solutions for mobility and delivering digital platforms for vehicle monitoring to key operators in the car rental sector.

Specifically, the data provided refers to all long-term contract hire vehicles (companies and private) and also short-term rentals, usually for tourist use.

Targa Telematics monitors more than 450 thousand vehicles in the afore-mentioned sectors.

Circulation traced on the Targa Telematics platform confirm the significant impact of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 16 March.

Contrary to popular belief, the figures have not dropped closer to zero because the vehicles recorded are, in all likelihood, permitted to circulate under the decree issued by the Italian government.

For example, they include trips citizens are allowed to make in their own cars, to go shopping or travel to the chemist, for example, many of which are not located locally and have to be reached by car.

The figures for short-term rentals do not point clearly to demand for tourism purposes. It is more likely that the figures are linked to the use of cars by professionals not resident in the region who are having to travel for reasons defined as essential in the decree of 16 March.

“Figures recorded for the second half of the month show clearly how circulation stopped after the emergency decree was passed on 16 March, as car traffic plummeted almost immediately,” commented Nicola De Mattia, CEO of Targa Telematics.

Our data underscores the effectiveness of the measures introduced and can also be used to assess how effective the measures have been at local levels”.

The infographic below shows weekly trends in traffic density during the month of March, highlighting the impact of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 16 March and the consequent downward trend in road traffic as traced by the Targa Telematics platform.

TARGA TELEMATICS

Targa Telematics is an IT company with 20 years of experience in connected vehicles. It delivers digital solutions, smart mobility and IoT platforms for customers the vehicle rental sector. It serves short- and long-term rental companies, financial organisations and large fleets, ranging from insurance telematics and asset and fleet management to digital vehicle tracking and diagnostics, professional and construction site vehicles, and the management of airport vehicles. Targa Telematics recorded turnover of €45 million in 2019, has 120 employees and more than 950 customers. For more information: www.targatelematics.com

TARGA TELEMATICS

Elena Bellini, Head of Marketing, Mobile: [+39] 335 135 1277  elena.bellini@targatelematics.com

Susanne Furini, Communication Manager, Mobile [+39] 345 7274925 susanne.furini@targatelematics.com

Barabino & Partners

Linda Basilico, Tel. [+39] 02 72023535 – Mobile [+39] 334 6708127 l.basilico@barabino.it

Nicola Comelli, Tel. [+39] 02 72023535 – Mobile [+39] 392 1755488 n.comelli@barabino.it