According to a report from the German newspaper Der Spiegel on Thursday, Switzerland may be the first nation to restrict the use of electric cars (EVs) in an effort to maintain energy security during winter. The usage of EVs might be restricted to “extremely required travels” only under the proposed action plan, which has not yet been implemented. Additionally, the administration wants to make the highway speed limits tighter. The administration is debating the severe limits because it anticipates a power shortfall in the coming months as a result of the nation’s heavy reliance on imports.
Around 60% of Switzerland’s domestic energy needs are met by hydroelectric power plants, such as dams spanning rivers or generators positioned between lakes. The supply is limited this year since France and Germany supply a sizable portion of the nation’s electricity.
Earlier this year, the Swiss Federal Energy Commission (Elcom) issued a warning about potential dangers to the wintertime supply of electricity, stating that issues with generation capacity could not be ruled out. Elcom mentioned the anticipated decline in French nuclear power availability and the possible effects on shipments to Switzerland.
