15 years later, the idea of limiting the speed to 110 km/h is floating in the air again. It comes from the European Commission, an organization that has indicated what measures it recommends to countries to save fuel with a letter. It includes 10 measures that touch on all types of issues in our economic and social life. These are those aimed at mobility.
What has happened? That the European Commission, through Dan Jorgensen, Commissioner for Energy, has sent a letter to the 27 with recommendations to save oil in the face of the crisis that we are already experiencing and the possibility of it extending over time, according to media such as The World o The Country.
The decalogue is based on the recommendations made by the International Energy Agency, but Jorgensen has already pointed out in the press conference after the announcement that there is no general recipe for all member countries of the European Union, so it is up to each one what to apply.
And 110 km/h. Perhaps one of the measures that draws the most attention to Spaniards is the 10 km/h reduction in speed. It is a measure that the Government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero already applied in 2011. That only lasted a few months (from March 7 to July 1) and the reason was the crisis derived from the Arab springs with which the Price of crude oil increased. In those days, the Brent Barrel had also exceeded $100 per unit.
When the project was presented, the expected savings for one year were 1.4 billion euros and gasoline and diesel consumption was 15 and 11% lower. The measure was lifted, estimating the savings at 450 million euros during the months that the plan was active and the fuel savings were 11.4% in the case of gasoline and 7.7% in the case of diesel.
Given the enormous variety of models with combustion engines, it is impossible to establish a specific saving figure by reducing speed by 10 km/h. This is certain to happen since fuel consumption increases exponentially at higher speeds if you drive in the highest gear possible. The DGT points out that driving at 110 km/h leads to a saving of almost 9% in a gasoline car and around 6.5% if we talk about a diesel car.
Today yes, tomorrow no. Another of the measures announced by the European Commission that governments can apply is to limit entry to cities based on the license plate number. The idea is to use the car on alternate days to get around, a measure that would boost the use of public transport and would be accompanied by the demand from Europe that teleworking be prioritized to avoid commuting.
This solution has generally been applied to improve pollution rates. They are common in countries more polluted than ours. In Mexico, for example, they apply Hoy No Circula in which the license plate number is taken into account to allow or disallow the circulation of cars. It has also been applied in countries like China.
In our country, the most famous case was that of Madrid, which with the Government of Manuela Carmena applied this protocol in 2016. The measures, in fact, are still contemplated to reduce pollution in the city but have not been applied again.
Flights, the fewer the better. The Energy Commissioner has also referred to flights. According to Jorgensen, we should “avoid air travel when alternatives exist” and it has been clear with who the main ones are: “reducing business flights can quickly relieve pressure on the aviation fuel market,” they state in The World.
It must be taken into account that Europe has been working for some time to reduce short-term flights, especially those that last less than two hours, and replace them with train trips. In fact, the commitment to connecting European capitals is a determined commitment by the Commission. Lisbon-Madrid is a good example of this.
It is expected to be long. In addition to the European recommendations, it must be taken into account that Europe is releasing its oil reserves with the aim of containing fuel prices. Our country alone has released 11.5 million barrels of oil from its energy reserves.
However, the crisis is expected to be long. The accounts indicate that the world is already facing a daily deficit of 8 million barrels. Oil at $200 a barrel is beginning to appear on the horizon. Media like Financial Times They warn that we are facing a crisis similar to that of the 70s. And Repsol already warns: releasing oil reserves is a temporary patch.
Photo | Tim D and Rafael Garcin
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