Switzerland considers 80 km/h highway limit to curb fuel shortage

Switzerland is preparing for a mineral oil supply crunch caused by a fragile situation in the Persian Gulf, the suspension of the Rhine Valley rail line and reduced river levels in the Rhine. The federal Office for Economic Supply has drafted a package of actions that would cut the top speed on highways to 80 km/h, aiming to generate additional fuel savings. In parallel, the government plans to make emergency diesel reserves available and has recently opened mandatory fuel stocks for aviation.

Authorities are also urging the public to adopt “sparing appeals,” promoting ride-sharing, greater use of public transport and cutting leisure traffic. The draft has been forwarded to ministries for feedback, with no decision yet on when or how the measures would take effect.