Switzerland weighs 80 km/h motorway limit as fuel supplies tighten
Thursday 29th October 2026 on 06:15 in
Switzerland
Switzerland is considering lowering the motorway speed limit to 80 km/h as fuel supplies come under pressure, SRF reports. The federal government says the measure is still far from being implemented.
The fuel supply situation has been strained by the war in the Middle East and the Rhine’s persistently low water level. Fuel and heating oil usually reach Switzerland by ship via Rotterdam and Basel, but low water has severely restricted shipping.
Other supply routes remain in use. Crude oil is shipped from the United States and sent by pipeline from Marseille to the refinery in Cressier, while petrol and diesel also arrive by train from Germany. Roland Pfister, the federal delegate for economic supply, said a serious shortage could develop if rail or pipeline routes were also disrupted. A pipeline damaged for several weeks could pose a particular problem. Last week, heavy rain in southern France briefly interrupted pipeline operations after pumping stations were flooded.
Switzerland maintains compulsory reserves of diesel, petrol, kerosene and heating oil for supply emergencies. The government has drawn on them intermittently since September, but so far only to a limited extent. Last week, it released four per cent of its diesel reserves, Pfister said.
The government would consider an 80 km/h motorway limit only if a substantial share of the reserves had been used and voluntary efforts to save fuel were not enough. Pfister said the measure could both reduce fuel consumption and send a strong signal to the public.
Transport entrepreneur and Swiss People’s Party lawmaker Benjamin Giezendanner criticised the proposal, saying it was not useful at present. He said current reserves were full and would last more than 24 months if they continued to be drawn down at the current rate. He nevertheless acknowledged that the government needed to consider options for the longer term.
The government and the transport sector agree that supplies are under strain, but say there is no dramatic shortage at present.