Low water levels on the Rhine have strained supplies, prompting the government to draw on compulsory reserves. Switzerland is considering an 80km/h speed limit on motorways to save fuel, reported SRF.
The effects of war in the Middle East and persistently low water levels on the Rhine have put fuel supplies under pressure. Petrol and heating oil normally reach Switzerland by barge from Rotterdam through Basel. Low water has severely restricted these shipments.
Other routes remain open. Crude oil from America arrives by sea at Marseille, then travels by pipeline to the Cressier refinery in the canton of Neuchâtel. Rail shipments bring petrol and diesel from refineries including Ingolstadt in Germany.
Further disruption, however, could cause serious shortages. A pipeline outage lasting several weeks would be particularly damaging. Last week, heavy rain in southern France led to a brief pipeline interruption because pumping stations were flooded.
Switzerland holds compulsory reserves of diesel, petrol, kerosene and heating oil to cover such disruptions. Since September the government has released small amounts. Last week it released four percent of our diesel reserves.
An 80km/h limit would be considered only if a substantial share of these reserves had been used and voluntary savings proved insufficient, according to the federal office. The option appeals to the government because the Federal Council could introduce it quickly.
Benjamin Giezendanner, a transport operator and member of the National Council for the Swiss People’s Party (SVP/UDC), told SRF he opposes the idea. We already drive at less than 120 km/h on the motorway for the most part, he said.
He argues that stocks remain ample. They would last for over 24 months if we continue reducing stockpiles at this rate. He sees little point in discussing an 80km/h limit now, though he accepts that the government must examine longer-term options.
The government and the transport industry agree on the immediate outlook: supplies are under strain, but Switzerland faces no acute fuel shortage.
It is also unclear whether a lower motorway speed limit would apply to electric vehicles. Exempting them would send a clear signal about the benefits of electric motoring.
More on this:
SRF article (in German)
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