Smog and other environmental problems associated with high automobile usage are particularly severe in Italy's economic powerhouse, Milan. In addition to automobiles, Milan suffers from emissions resulting from heating systems and carbon fuel plants. The Italian government is undertaking numerous measures to mitigate growing air pollution problems. In 1999, an electric car-sharing program was launched in Rome, Milan, Turin, Modena, Brescia, Udine, Florence, Bologna and Venice. Each city is provided with 500-600 electric cars, which are then shared by participating citizens.
Members pay a fee according to the distance traveled.
The Italian government also has proposed instituting tolls on cars in cities. Historically, Italy has been highly reliant on oil imports from North Africa. In recent years, however, oil consumption gradually has been replaced by natural gas. Natural gas not only aids Italy in achieving its goal of energy diversification, but it also helps Italy to meet its domestic and European environmental requirements for a cleaner environment. The Italian Ministry of Environment recently signed a voluntary agreement with car manufacturer Fiat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.