Filed under: Etc., Green Culture, Carbon Offset, Legislation and Policy
EU official wants speed limits on autobahn
Calls to impose speed limits on the famous autobahn have been heard before. But the pressure was stepped up a notch when EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas called for the Germans to give up their wide-open speed policy. As expected, the German auto industry and some officials resented the demand, saying they're taking care of emissions reductions and fighting global warming on their own.
Dimas says the unlimited speed zones are a waste of energy and burden the climate. He notes that speed limits are only controversial in Germany.
Most European countries have either a 75 mph or 80 mph limit, others are more strict at 70 mph. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is taking active steps to reduce greenhouse gases by other means, such as energy-saving light bulbs, but does not want to get into a fight with homeland automakers.
The issue is likely to come down to numbers. One study says that limiting speed to 62 mph reduces CO2 emissions by less than 1 percent. But there may be grassroots movement to set limits. One survey says 60 percent would favor autobahn speed limits.
[Source: Geir Moulson / Associated Press via Boston Globe]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Karkus 1:58PM (3/12/2007)
Speed limit on the Autobahn is like the smoking ban in Italy - I never thought that it would happen.
Even if it only saves a little CO2, it could have another effect. It may tame the competition amongst automakers for producing fast, powerful cars, as well as reduce the urge for some people to buy such cars. Currently, car fanatics can justify a fast gas guzzler by thinking they'll be able to test it out on the Autobahn (even if they never do). Perhaps speed limits on the Autobahn would cut down on people buying such cars.
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Arnie 7:00PM (3/12/2007)
This would not make much difference to CO2 emissions. This is just another attempt from the left/eco lobby at social engineering. Fast cars = rich people => bad Fast and expensive cars are a symbol of capitalism and are therefore the enemy along with Bush/USA/Halliburton/the middle class etc.
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MikeW 11:34PM (3/12/2007)
The speed limit should be: unlimited
If set to something like 150kph, the rational for purchasing decisions will change. Gratification will come from acceleration instead of speed.
So low power cars that can stretch 'their legs' on occasion will give way to high power cars that give the driver incredible acceleration while they don't ever go above 100mph. (Too American)
Competition & the autobahn spurred Mercedes to upgrade their transmissions from close ratio 5 speed automatics (to a short lived close ratio 6 speed auto) to a close ratio 7 speed automatic.
But the germans already get their speed through efficiency, i.e.
From BMW international website the 3-series sedan
318i 127hp, 129mph
318d 121hp, 128mph
320i 148hp, 137mph
320d 161hp, 140mph
325i 215hp, 152mph
325d 194hp, 146mph
330i 255hp, governed to 155mph
330d 228hp, governed to 155mph
335i 302hp, governed to 155mph
335d 282hp, governed to 155mph
and the revised BMW 525i N53 direct injection engine. Still 215hp, but at 6100 vs 6500, 15ft-lbs more torque, peaks at 2400rpm vs. 2750. Top speed 154mph.
and the old adage is still true: it is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow[-ly]
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TDIMeister 2:44AM (3/13/2007)
Take it from someone who lives in Germany: there are fewer and fewer stretches of Autobahn that actually have no speed limits. That there are no speed limits on the Autobahns is a misnomer. Speed limits do exist and unlike in North America are variable -- even on the same stretch of highway from one day to the next -- due to any number of factors like construction, congestion, weather and road conditions.
Those who argue that speed does not increase CO2 emissions is living in ignorant denial. If you have a car with a multifunction trip meter on the dash, you can see for yourself a shocking increase in fuel consumption with speed.
Amid the opposition from a minority, the majority of the public public and government in Germany are resigned that a general speed limit will eventually be imposed on the Autobahn. It's a question of when, not if. As a car guy I'd of course like to have the choice of the speed at which I drive but I wouldn't be whining about it if there were a reasonable because every credible research shows a correlation between speed and emissions and safety.
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