Switzerland considers 80km/h motorway limit to prevent fuel shortage

The Swiss government is considering introducing a temporary speed reduction on motorways in a bid to prevent a fuel shortage. The move comes after Bern was also forced to tap into the country’s diesel reserves.

Motorway speed limits could drop from 120 to 80 km/h

The federal government in Switzerland has been quietly preparing for fuel shortages by considering a speed limit reduction on motorways and highways (Autobahns) from 120 to 80 kilometres per hour (km/h). The Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES/BWL) launched an inter-agency consultation to investigate the proposal, according to Nau.

Imposing a restriction on the maximum speed limit would help reduce fuel consumption across the country while also minimising how much mandatory reserves are depleted.

The BWL confirmed that the measures are merely in preparation for a “severe shortage” and part of a regular review of potential measures. “In the event of a severe shortage, the measure would supplement existing withdrawals from mandatory reserves and support them with an additional cost-saving effect,” explained a BWL spokesperson.

A temporary Swiss speed limit reduction would be just one part of the government’s plan to reduce fuel consumption in a crisis. Other measures could include, for example, encouraging public transport use and reducing overall travel.

The last time Switzerland introduced a temporary maximum motorway speed limit was in 1973, when a 100 km/h limit was imposed for the first time, and the Federal Council also implemented car-free Sundays.

Switzerland taps into mandatory diesel and kerosene reserves

The government’s preparations were revealed a day after it was announced that Switzerland will temporarily release diesel from its mandatory reserves.

Up to 45.000 cubic metres (45 million litres) of diesel may be withdrawn between October 23 and November 22, 2026, according to 20 Minuten. The amount being made available makes up almost 4 percent of the overall strategic diesel reserves in Switzerland and will supply around 900.000 diesel cars with a full tank of fuel.

A federal government press release explained that “delayed pipeline deliveries due to heavy rain in southern France” have created a “short-term shortage of diesel fuel in an already very strained supply situation.”

Switzerland also released around 6,5 percent of kerosene from mandatory aviation fuel reserves between October 15 and November 1, a total of about 30.000 cubic metres, preventing a fuel shortage at Zurich Airport.

The BWL will continue to “closely monitor the supply situation”, which “remains tense and fragile for all petroleum products.”