Massive seizure of illegal scooters: nearly 7 unregistered vehicles across Italy

Thousands of electric scooters marketed as simple pedal-assisted bicycles, but in reality, lack the safety requirements required by European regulations. This is the result of a large-scale operation conducted by the Guardia di Finanza of the Palermo Provincial Command, delegated by the Palmi Public Prosecutor's Office, which led to the seizure of the vehicles throughout the country.

The ruling, issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Court of Palmi, concerns vehicles imported from China and placed on the Italian market as e-bikes, even though they are actually comparable to actual electric scooters, capable of circulating without license plates, insurance, or type approval thanks to allegedly false technical documentation.

The list of suspects includes a Palermo businessman and a company, called to answer for the administrative liability of entities, on charges of commercial fraud and forgery of a public document.

Seven regions involved

The operation involved dozens of Fiamme Gialle soldiers in Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Puglia, Lombardy, Sardinia and Tuscany.

The searches and seizures were carried out at wholesalers and retailers throughout Italy, where thousands of vehicles were identified that did not comply with European and national safety regulations.

The system of false certifications

According to investigations by the 1st Metropolitan Operations Unit of the Palermo Group, the system allegedly leveraged technical certifications deemed misleading to obtain customs clearance for the vehicles.
Investigators challenge the submission of incomplete or false documentation certifying compliance with the CE marking, required to market pedal-assisted bicycles.

Since 2023, at least 6.885 vehicles, declared as e-bikes, have been imported, with a total market value of approximately €5 million. The false declarations are believed to have misled customs officials, allowing vehicles deemed unsafe to be placed on the market.

The inspections carried out with the support of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, and trade associations revealed technical files lacking key elements, including risk assessment documentation, construction drawings, technical tests, and measures designed to prevent modifications that would alter their characteristics.

Why are they considered dangerous?

European regulations establish that a pedal-assisted bicycle can have a motor of up to 250 Watts, active only while pedaling and designed to cut off when reaching a speed of 25 kilometres per hour.

The seized vehicles, however, although appearing to be electric bicycles, have characteristics that make them similar to electric scooters, thus allowing them to evade the obligations set forth in the Highway Code.
This means being able to drive without license plates, without mandatory insurance, and without registration, with obvious risks both for road safety and for the protection of other road users.

The security alarm

The investigation also stems from numerous reports received in recent months from citizens, trade associations, and public bodies regarding the increasingly widespread use of these vehicles in major Italian cities.
According to the Guardia di Finanza, scooters are often used by minors, by people without or with suspended licenses, and, in some cases, even to commit crimes, taking advantage of the anonymity afforded by the lack of license plates.

Furthermore, in the event of an accident, these vehicles can cause serious problems for victims, as their irregular circulation makes it particularly difficult to identify those responsible and does not allow access to the ordinary protections provided for regularly insured vehicles.

Investigations continue

In parallel with the criminal proceedings, further investigations are underway to verify possible violations of the Consumer Code related to unfair commercial practices and misleading advertising disseminated through websites and social networks.

The checks are carried out with the support of the Special Antitrust Unit and the Special Goods and Services Unit of the Guardia di Finanza.
As required by law, the responsibility of the accused must be ascertained during the judicial proceedings and can only be considered definitive if a final conviction is issued.