German mobility commission head says speed limit not best option to curb emissions
Zeit Online
The head of Germany鈥檚 mobility commission, Henning Kagermann, has said that a general speed limit would not be very effective in reducing transport emissions. In an with Zeit Online, Kagermann said introducing a speed limit on the German Autobahn, which is known for allowing cars to drive as fast as they can, had never been a proper proposal by the mobility commission and was 鈥渜uite far down鈥 on 鈥渁 list of ideas鈥. Kagermann said mobility is the sector in the energy transition closest to people鈥檚 everyday life and changes in the sector would therefore be received more emotionally than elsewhere. According to the commission head, measures like digitalisation, a change of propulsion systems and fuels, traffic volume reduction and 鈥渕ore environmentally friendly means of transportation鈥 rank high in the body鈥檚 list of ideas to reduce transport emissions.
Leaked information about the commission鈥檚 ideas had caused a public outcry in Germany, with transport minister Andreas Scheuer denouncing a speed limit and higher petrol prices as 鈥渄etached from reality鈥 and 鈥渞unning counter to common sense.鈥 The mobility commission is expected to publish a report on its findings by the end of March.