It is a demand that has been widely discussed in the environmental movement lately: slowing the speed of motorists on the highway. Budget Council President Christoph Badelt has now adopted the idea – and is now calling on government negotiators to actually implement it.
“The coalition negotiators really need to jump over their shadows,” Badelt wrote on the short message service X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. What is meant here is not the debate about a wealth tax or how else to get the national debt under control, but rather a speed reduction for motorists.
“It yields just as much as supporting building renovations”
In view of climate change, this is a sensible measure: “A speed limit of 100 km/h on highways would yield as much CO2 savings as would be achieved by promoting renovation and heating of buildings,” the economic researcher continues.
And the numbers actually show a lot of potential. Experts have calculated that just lowering the speed limit from 130 km/h to 100 km/h on the country’s highways could save up to 850,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Expert expects ‘huge savings potential’
The connection is simple: the faster a vehicle travels, the higher the air resistance and therefore the fuel consumption. At a speed of 130 km/h, an average car uses about 30 percent more fuel than at 100 km/h. This is then directly reflected in the CO2 emissions. “So there is enormous savings potential,” says Badelt.
The time lost driving at 100 km/h would be manageable. On a 100 kilometer route, the difference between 130 and 100 km/h when driving freely is about 13 minutes. In practice, the difference is usually even smaller due to traffic, construction sites and other restrictions.
Cost-effective and immediately effective
“Reducing speeds would be one of the most cost-effective climate protection measures,” emphasizes the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ). Compared to complex technical solutions or financing programs, it could be effective almost immediately – and without significant implementation costs.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
