Rome, 27 February (LaPresse) – The Rome City Council has approved the introduction, starting from 1 July, of an annual paid permit for access during the operating hours of the restricted traffic zone (ZTL) in the historic centre and other ZTLs for exclusively electric vehicles, replacing the current free access regime for all electric cars. ‘In order to maintain a favourable regime for this type of vehicle,’ the City Council said in a statement, ‘the permit will cost 50% of that for equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles and will be available to all electric car owners, not just those eligible to apply for a permit for the historic centre.’ The decision, the City Council explains, was necessary in view of the sharp increase in electric vehicle registrations in recent years, which have grown by 350% in four years and continue to rise every month.