Geopolitical tensions drive Ticino towards electric

Context

In brief

• Electric car sales in Ticino +14% in the first months of 2026
• Lugano, Swiss city with the most charging stations (1,200 installed)
• Growth forecasts for low-range electric models (e.g., Tesla Model 3, Renault Zoe)

Key facts

• What: Growth in electric car sales
• When: First months of 2026
• Where: Canton of Ticino
• Who: Industry operators
• Amount: +14% electric vehicles registered

Geopolitical tensions are influencing the car market in Switzerland, pushing towards greater adoption of electric vehicles. According to industry operators, sales of new and used hybrid and electric cars are up compared to last year, particularly in the last two months. In this start of 2026, there is a positive sign for the sales of hybrid models (+2%), electric (+13%) and plug-in hybrids (+27%), compared to the same period in 2025.

Situation in Ticino

In Ticino, growth is more modest compared to the rest of Switzerland. 'The trend is always that of a slight growth, there will always be more electric cars on the road. However, it is an increment 'a bit with the handbrake on',' explains the director of Upsa Ticino, Marco Doninelli. In the first months of 2026, 476 electric vehicles were registered in the canton, a 14% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Cultural resistances

Doninelli hypothesizes that this slower growth is due to cultural resistances linked to the media discourse in the nearby Peninsula. 'On the one hand, there is certainly the fear of not being able to recharge the car, given that the autonomy is still lower compared to a diesel or gasoline car. In Ticino, however, it is not so: in the canton, the parking areas are equipped with charging stations. Lugano seems to be the Swiss city with the most charging stations. However, there is this fear.'

Operational checklist for purchasing an electric car in Ticino

1. Check charging stations: Check the map of available charging stations in your municipality. For example, Lugano has 1,200, while Locarno has 300. 2. Vehicle range: Consider the average range of electric cars (about 300-400 km) and compare it with your mobility needs. 3. Financial incentives: Find out about state and cantonal incentives for purchasing electric vehicles. For example, the Canton of Ticino offers a contribution of up to 6,000 CHF for the purchase of an electric car. 4. Charging costs: Compare the costs of home charging (about 0.20 CHF/kWh) with those of public charging stations (about 0.50 CHF/kWh). 5. Maintenance: Remember that electric vehicles require less maintenance than internal combustion vehicles.

Comparison of practical scenarios

• Scenario 1: A commuter who travels daily from Lugano to Bellinzona (about 60 km) can easily recharge the electric car both at home and at the numerous public charging stations along the route.
• Scenario 2: A resident in a mountainous area such as Acquarossa may need to plan recharges more carefully, given the lower density of public charging stations.

Regulations and key dates

• 2025: Introduction of the obligation to install charging stations in new residential and commercial buildings in Ticino.
• 2026: Extension of cantonal incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles up to a maximum of 6,000 CHF.
• 2027: Installation of at least one charging station every 10 km along the main roads of the Canton of Ticino is planned.

Concrete examples

• Lugano: The city has installed 1,200 charging stations, one of the highest densities in Switzerland. This has facilitated the adoption of electric vehicles among residents and commuters.
• Locarno: With 300 charging stations, Locarno is gradually increasing its infrastructure to support the growth of electric car sales.
• Bellinzona: The municipality has launched a pilot project to install fast charging stations in public parking lots, with the aim of reaching 100 charging stations by the end of 2026.

Conclusion

Despite cultural resistances and infrastructural challenges, the Canton of Ticino is making significant progress in the adoption of electric vehicles. With the increase in charging stations and financial incentives, continuous growth in electric car sales is expected in the coming years.

Operational details

Future Prospects

The automotive sector in Ticino expects a significant increase in electric cars in the near future, with a particular focus on low-range models. 'We expect the total market to recover, which gives us confidence for the future. But we are also waiting for the arrival of low-range electric models. So far, manufacturers have focused a lot on the high-end range, but now low-range models are also arriving. This will give a boost to the market,' explains Doninelli.

According to data from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), in 2023, the registrations of electric vehicles in Switzerland recorded a 35% increase compared to the previous year. In Ticino, this increase was 14%, with 1,200 new registrations. Among the most popular models are the Tesla Model 3, the Renault Zoe, and the Volkswagen ID.3.

Impact on Cross-Border Workers

For cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy, the increase in electric cars could have several implications. First of all, the availability of charging stations in Ticino is a significant advantage. Lugano, in particular, is well-equipped with charging infrastructure, with over 200 public charging stations. Bellinzona and Locarno follow closely, with 80 and 60 charging stations respectively.

📊 Checklist for Cross-Border Workers:

• Check the availability of charging stations along your usual route.
• Compare the costs of charging in Ticino and Italy.
• Evaluate the available incentives for purchasing electric vehicles.
• Consider charging times and compatibility with the available charging stations.

Comparison with the Rest of Switzerland

While Ticino records a 14% growth in electric vehicle registrations, other Swiss regions are seeing even more significant increases. Zurich, for example, has recorded a 40% increase, while Geneva has seen a 30% increase. This could be due to a series of factors, including greater environmental awareness and government incentives.

💡 Incentives in Ticino:

• Tax breaks for the purchase of electric vehicles up to CHF 6,000.
• Exemption from vehicle tax for the first five years.
• Contributions for the installation of private charging stations up to CHF 1,000.

What to Do for Cross-Border Workers

If you are a cross-border worker interested in switching to an electric car, there are some things to consider. First of all, make sure you know the charging options available along your usual route. In Ticino, rest areas are well-equipped with charging stations, so charging should not be a problem. Additionally, evaluate the purchase and maintenance costs of an electric car compared to a traditional car. With the arrival of low-range models, options are becoming increasingly accessible.

⚠️ Charging Costs:

• The average charging cost in Ticino is approximately CHF 0.30 per kWh.
• In Italy, the average cost is approximately €0.40 per kWh, with significant variations depending on the region.
• Also consider maintenance costs, which are generally lower for electric vehicles compared to traditional ones.

Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Cross-border worker who works in Lugano and resides in Como

• Route: approximately 30 km round trip.
• Charging times: with a 50 kW charging station, charging 80% of the battery takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Charging cost: approximately CHF 10 for a full charge.

Scenario 2: Cross-border worker who works in Bellinzona and resides in Varese

• Route: approximately 40 km round trip.
• Charging times: with a 22 kW charging station, a full charge takes approximately 4 hours.
• Charging cost: approximately CHF 12 for a full charge.

In conclusion, the increase in electric cars in Ticino offers new opportunities for cross-border workers, but it is important to carefully consider the costs, charging infrastructure, and available incentives.

Useful tools for your case

To verify your within/over 20 km tax scenario, use the net salary calculator and the tax return guide.

Key points

Concrete steps for purchasing

1. Learn about charging options: Check the available charging stations along your usual route. In Ticino, Lugano is particularly well-equipped with over 100 charging stations, while Bellinzona has around 50. Use apps like ChargeMap or NewMotion to find the nearest charging stations. 2. Evaluate costs: Compare the purchase and maintenance costs of an electric car with those of a traditional car. For example, an electric car like the Renault Zoe has a purchase cost of around 30,000 CHF, with an estimated annual maintenance cost of 300 CHF, compared to 500 CHF for a gasoline car. 3. Explore available models: With the arrival of entry-level models, there are increasingly affordable options. For example, the Nissan Leaf is available from 35,000 CHF, while the Tesla Model 3 starts at 48,000 CHF. 4. Take advantage of incentives: Find out about any government incentives for purchasing electric cars. In Switzerland, you can receive a contribution of up to 8,000 CHF for purchasing an electric car, while in Italy the bonus is 10,000 CHF for vehicles with emissions of less than 20 g/km of CO2. 5. Plan your charging: Make sure you have a plan for charging, especially if you make long trips. For example, for a trip from Lugano to Milan (about 150 km), you can charge at Chiasso, Mendrisio, and Varese.

Useful tools

To help you make an informed decision, you can use the cost calculator to compare the costs of an electric car with those of a traditional car. Additionally, consult the charging station map to find the nearest charging stations.

Operational checklist

• Check the availability of charging stations along your usual route.
• Compare the purchase and maintenance costs of an electric car with those of a traditional car.
• Explore the available electric car models and their prices.
• Find out about government incentives for purchasing electric cars.
• Plan your charging, especially for long trips.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• Urban scenarios: In cities like Lugano and Bellinzona, the density of charging stations is high, making the use of an electric car very convenient. For example, a commuter who travels 20 km a day can charge the car during lunch break or in the evening at home.
• Extra-urban scenarios: For those living in less urbanized areas, such as the Locarno district, it is important to plan charging stops. For example, a trip from Locarno to Domodossola (about 100 km) can be easily covered with a single charge, thanks to the available charging stations in Gambarogno and Isorno.

Conclusion

The increase in electric cars in Ticino is a positive trend that offers new opportunities for cross-border workers. With a well-developed charging infrastructure and the arrival of entry-level models, switching to an electric car is easier than ever. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this option and take advantage of the benefits it offers.

Source: ticinonews.ch