Climate protection could kill Germany’s autobahns

Germany’s legendary autobahns could soon be speed-restricted under looming proposals designed to help the country meet tougher European emissions targets.

According to Reuters, draft proposals set to be put forward by Germany’s National Platform on the Future of Mobility in March will propose to law-makers a raft of new environmental measures.

"Not every instrument and every measure will be accepted," the draft, obtained by Reuters, reads. "It will take political deftness, diplomatic skill and a willingness to compromise to achieve the climate change goals."

Proposals include a new motorway speed limit of 130km/h, fuel tax hikes implemented from 2023, and the abolition of tax breaks for diesel cars and new quotas for electric and hybrid cars. It is claimed these measures alone could deliver half of the necessary emissions cuts.

The draft proposals present something for a conundrum for Germany’s government, which is torn between protecting its car industry financial bedrock – and helping the environment. Germany’s autobahn network is widespread, and has been ingrained in the country’s driving culture for decades.

One incentive for Germany is the threat of heavy EU-sanctioned fines for failing to reduce its carbon footprint. Reuters reports transport emissions in Germany have not declined since 1990.

For now, the autobahn restriction remains in draft form; the National Platform on the Future of Mobility is yet to formalise the recommendations. That will likely happen at the end of March, before being incorporated into a climate change policy the government hopes to enact later in 2019.

Draft or not, the committee is already suggesting to proposals will court controversy.