Stromer in winter: Industry demands full use
WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Electric cars should be allowed to be used without restriction even in the event of a power shortage. This demand has been emphasized by auto-schweiz in a statement.
The announcement alone of a possible restriction on the private use of electric cars has already led to corresponding headlines throughout Europe, thus doing a disservice to electromobility in Switzerland.
Without the security of being able to use their own vehicle at any time, customers will be more likely to opt for conventional drive systems when making a purchase. This jeopardizes the achievement of the CO2 target values for importers.
Electrical energy in escalation level 3
As an energy-saving measure in the possible event of a power shortage, the Federal Council proposes to allow "the private use of electric cars (...) only for absolutely necessary journeys (for example, carrying out a profession, shopping, visiting a doctor, attending religious events, attending court appointments". This is provided for in the draft "Ordinance on Restrictions and Prohibitions on the Use of Electric Energy" in escalation level 3.
New situation due to ban on use
Andreas Burgener, Director of auto-schweiz: "Our members and their official brand dealers are putting a lot of effort into promoting electric cars, from advertising to personal sales talks. All customers who buy or order a vehicle now will carefully consider whether they should go back to a gasoline or diesel engine in view of this ban on use. These drives will not be curtailed in their use."
Rejection of any restriction
With increased purchasing behavior of this kind, sanction-free achievement of the CO2 regulations would no longer be possible for automobile importers. A survey of auto-schweiz members showed that the market share of plug-in vehicles (electric cars and plug-in hybrids) could exceed 50 percent in 2025. Today, it is just under half.
Andreas Burgener: "Any restrictions on electromobility should be rejected; the transformation to e-driving is challenging enough for our customers and the entire industry as it is. Moreover, electric cars accounted for less than 0.5 percent of Swiss electricity consumption last year. Restricting electromobility is therefore not proportionate if, at the same time, saunas and whirlpools in wellness hotels are still allowed to run for seven hours a day. If the Federal Council insists on this measure, we will demand the suspension of CO2 sanctions."
Speed limit 100 on freeways disproportionate
The auto-schweiz director also criticizes the maximum speed of 100 km/h on freeways, which is possible in the event of a crisis, so that electric cars would save electricity: "Commuters, tradesmen, delivery services: All would be slowed down across the board. In addition, the ordinance states that this article will be used depending on the situation - a very woolly formulation. Does that mean that the first missing kilowatt hour will bring down all of Switzerland's road traffic, which demonstrably accounts for a large part of our mobility?"
Conclusion: Instead, auto-schweiz advocates a call for voluntary measures in extreme cases, which would not have failed to have an effect during the Covid pandemic.
