Switzerland considers 80 km/h highway speed limit to combat fuel shortages

The Swiss government is preparing a potential 80 km/h speed limit for motorways to mitigate severe fuel shortages. According to reports, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs (BWL) has submitted a proposal within the federal administration for consultation.

The measure is intended to support the use of mandatory fuel reserves by creating an additional saving effect during a critical shortage. While the proposal is being reviewed, no final decision has been made, and the specific conditions for implementation remain undefined.

The fuel supply situation is currently described as very tense. On Friday, the government authorized the release of up to 45 million liters of diesel from mandatory reserves—approximately four percent of existing stocks—due to delivery delays caused by heavy rainfall in southern France. This follows a period of instability in September when the country's only oil refinery in Cressier was out of service for two weeks due to a technical defect.