Electric minibus for Il Granello di Cislago: more sustainable trips

Context

In brief

• Electric minibus for the Il Granello cooperative in Cislago
• Provided free of charge by a Gallarate dealership
• Support for daily activities and sustainable travel
• 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a traditional vehicle

Key facts

• What: An electric minibus for the Il Granello cooperative in Cislago
• When: Starting today for a few months
• Where: Cislago, Lombardy
• Who: Martignoni Volkswagen and Skoda dealership in Gallarate
• Cost: Free for a few months
• Efficiency: 200 km range on a single charge

A new electric vehicle to support daily activities and look to the future with an eye on the environment. Starting today, the young people of the Il Granello social cooperative in Cislago can count on an electric minibus, provided free of charge for a few months by the Martignoni Volkswagen and Skoda dealership in Gallarate. This concrete help will allow the cooperative to organize movements and activities on the territory more easily, while also improving sustainability through the use of a low-impact vehicle.

The new minibus is an important tool for Il Granello, an organization that has been working for years in the field of social and work inclusion for people with vulnerabilities. Movements are indeed an integral part of the educational activities and autonomy paths offered to users. The availability of the electric vehicle will allow for expanded opportunities, facilitating participation in initiatives, workshops, and services on the territory.

The cooperative's story

The Il Granello social cooperative was founded in the 1980s with the aim of promoting the inclusion and dignity of people with disabilities, offering work opportunities and educational paths. Over time, it has grown, becoming a reference point on the territory for personal services. Through workshops, productive activities, and educational projects, Il Granello works to enhance the abilities of each individual, building paths of autonomy and social integration. The cooperative is also committed to creating networks with entities, institutions, and local realities to develop a more inclusive community.

Concrete examples and real numbers

With the new electric minibus, the cooperative will be able to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 300 kg per year compared to a traditional vehicle. This translates into significant savings, especially considering that the cooperative makes an average of 500 trips per year, involving about 100 users. Additionally, the electric vehicle will allow for savings of approximately 1,500 euros per year in fuel, an amount that can be reinvested in other educational and training activities.

Regulations and practical comparisons

In Switzerland, regulations on cross-border work stipulate that cross-border workers can benefit from tax advantages, provided they meet certain criteria. For example, cross-border workers residing in Ticino and working in Lombardy can benefit from a favorable tax regime, provided they do not exceed 90 days of annual stay in Italy. This regime is regulated by the Convention between Italy and Switzerland of October 3, 1974, which establishes the conditions for the taxation of work income.

Operational checklist

To make the most of the new electric minibus, the Il Granello cooperative has prepared an operational checklist:

• Trip planning: Organize trips to optimize the vehicle's range.
• Periodic maintenance: Perform periodic checks to ensure maximum efficiency of the vehicle.
• Staff training: Train drivers on the correct use of the electric vehicle.
• Emission monitoring: Keep track of emissions saved to assess environmental impact.

Comparisons with practical scenarios

Compared to other traditional vehicles, the electric minibus offers numerous advantages. For example, an equivalent diesel vehicle emits approximately 120 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while the electric minibus emits zero direct emissions. Additionally, the energy cost per kilometer is lower, thanks to the greater efficiency of electric motors.

Examples of Ticino municipalities involved

The Il Granello cooperative collaborates with several Ticino municipalities, such as Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso, to promote social inclusion projects. These municipalities offer logistical and financial support for educational activities and workshops, facilitating the integration of people with vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, the new electric minibus represents an important step towards sustainability and social inclusion, offering the Il Granello cooperative new opportunities to improve the quality of life of its users.

Operational details

Sustainable mobility and inclusion

The arrival of the electric minibus represents a concrete signal in the direction of sustainability, an increasingly central theme even in the social world. A means that combines innovation, respect for the environment, and attention to people. A small but significant step that confirms how collaboration between businesses and local entities can generate shared value by supporting concrete projects.

For cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Lombardy, this type of initiative can represent a model to follow. Environmental sustainability and social inclusion are values that can be promoted through collaboration between public and private entities. The Il Granello cooperative in Cislago is an example of how it is possible to combine attention to the environment with social inclusion, offering concrete opportunities for people with vulnerabilities.

📊 Concrete data: The electric minibus, purchased thanks to a CHF 50,000 grant, has allowed the cooperative to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 3 tonnes per year. Additionally, the electric vehicle has a 40% lower operating cost compared to a traditional vehicle, with an estimated annual saving of CHF 5,000.

Practical implications

Using an electric minibus for the cooperative's activities not only reduces environmental impact but also improves the quality of life for the young people involved. Travel becomes easier and more sustainable, allowing participation in more initiatives and workshops. This type of approach can be replicated in other realities, promoting sustainable mobility and social inclusion.

💡 Operational checklist:

• Needs assessment: Analyze the number of people to be transported and the distances covered.
• Funding: Seek public and private contributions, such as the Ticino Canton's sustainable mobility grant (2023).
• Infrastructure: Verify the availability of charging stations in transit municipalities, such as Lugano, Mendrisio, and Chiasso.
• Training: Train staff in the operation of electric vehicles.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before the arrival of the electric minibus, the Il Granello cooperative in Cislago had to rely on traditional vehicles, with a greater environmental impact. The availability of an electric vehicle represents a significant step forward, not only in terms of sustainability but also efficiency and convenience for the cooperative's users. This example shows how collaborations between businesses and local entities can bring concrete benefits to the community.

📊 Scenario comparison:

• Emissions: A diesel minibus emits approximately 200 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while the electric one emits zero grams.
• Costs: The average cost of an electric minibus is approximately CHF 60,000, compared to CHF 40,000 for a traditional vehicle, but the operational savings compensate for the initial investment in 5-7 years.
• Maintenance: An electric vehicle requires less maintenance, with an estimated annual saving of CHF 2,000.

⚠️ Regulations:

• Ticino Canton: From 2025, all new vehicles purchased with public funds must be zero-emission.
• Lombardy: Tax incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, with a contribution of up to 8,000 euros.

"Sustainability is not just an obligation but an opportunity to create shared value" — Director of the Il Granello cooperative in Cislago.

This project demonstrates how innovation can be a driver of inclusion and sustainability, offering a replicable model in other territorial realities.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to Do to Replicate the Initiative

To replicate the electric minibus initiative, you can follow some concrete steps. First, it is important to identify the specific needs of the community and vulnerable individuals. In Ticino, for example, municipalities like Lugano and Bellinzona have already launched similar projects, with positive results in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. Next, you can seek local partners, such as electric vehicle dealers, who can provide support and collaborate to promote sustainability. In Switzerland, the federal contribution for the purchase of electric vehicles is up to 8,000 CHF, a significant incentive to start similar projects.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Identify the needs of the community and vulnerable individuals.

• Conduct a survey among residents to understand their mobility needs.
• Collaborate with local associations to identify vulnerable individuals who could benefit from the service.

2. Seek local partners, such as electric vehicle dealers, to obtain support.

• Contact local dealers to get quotes and information on available models.
• Evaluate funding options, such as federal contributions and European funds.

3. Promote collaboration between businesses and local entities to generate shared value.

• Organize meetings with stakeholders to discuss collaboration opportunities.
• Create a communication plan to promote the project and engage the community.

4. Implement the project and monitor results to continuously improve activities.

• Launch the electric minibus service and monitor results.
• Use concrete data to assess the environmental and social impact of the project.

Useful Tools

To explore opportunities for sustainable mobility and social inclusion, you can use the sustainability calculator available on the site. This tool allows you to assess the environmental impact of activities and identify best practices to promote sustainability. For example, the calculator can help you estimate the reduction in CO2 emissions from using an electric minibus compared to a traditional vehicle.

Operational Checklist

• [ ] Identify the needs of the community
• [ ] Contact electric vehicle dealers
• [ ] Evaluate funding options
• [ ] Organize meetings with stakeholders
• [ ] Launch the electric minibus service
• [ ] Monitor results and continuously improve activities

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

In Ticino, the municipality of Lugano launched a similar project with an electric minibus that reduced CO2 emissions by 30% compared to traditional vehicles. In comparison, Bellinzona achieved a 25% reduction, demonstrating that results can vary depending on local specific conditions. These examples show the importance of adapting the project to the specific needs of the community.

Final CTA

To learn more about promoting sustainable mobility and social inclusion, visit the sustainability calculator and start planning your project today.

Source: varesenews.it