Fiat, Magneti Marelli, Eni and Bosch have come together with 700 Italian driving schools in a new initiative: ecoPatente (which aims to ground new drivers in environmental consciousness and promote efficient car use.

ecoPatente is being promoted by Legambiente and several Italian Ministries (Ministero della Gioventù, Ministero dell’Ambiente, Ministero del Lavoro, Salute e Politiche Sociali, Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti), with the support of four key Italian industries (Fiat, which is the "Main Partner", Bosch, Eni and Magneti Marelli). The project, started in October 2009, involves 700 driving schools and is made up of an ecologic driving training in addition to the traditional one. Thanks to this project, scheduled to end in February next year, young people who enrol in driving schools participating in the initiative will also be educated on the topics of respect for the environment and energy savings, in addition to receiving information on a smart, proper and environmentally-sustainable use of the car. New drivers can chose to attend the eco-training and to be examined on it to become eco-drivers.

In order to join the project, new drivers will seek the driving school closest to them. Until February 2010, attending the traditional driving training they will also receive specific insights on ecologic driving. Even people unable to attend the course may consult the training aid available online and will be examined through a quiz, in order to get the ecoPatente.

Eco-drivers have also the possibility to participate to a prize winning competition. At the end of the course, and after correctly answering a special questionnaire, “future drivers” will obtain the new ecoPatente and will also take part in a prize draw competition in which the main prize is a Fiat 500 Pur-02. This is a new type-approved Euro5 model featuring the lowest emission levels in the petrol range of the 500 model (CO2 emissions: 113 g/km); it is also equipped with the Dualogic automated transmission with Magneti Marelli Freechoice technology, for reduced fuel consumption and emissions, the “Start&Stop” device, which temporarily shuts off the engine when the car comes to a stop, and “eco:Drive”, the innovative software that analyses the driver's style and helps optimise his or her driving behaviour in terms of consumptions and, consequently, emissions.

For Magneti Marelli this initiative is a perfect match since the Fiat Group company, in addition to searching for solutions and technologies capable of making cars easy to use and eco-friendly, considers road education and the creation of a culture aimed at responsibility and proper behaviour behind the wheel to be fundamental values for a smart and environmentally-sustainable use of the car.