Ask drivers to reduce motorway speeds to overcome energy crisis, says Brussels Business

Brussels has told European Union countries they should consider telling drivers to reduce their highway speeds in the battle to ditch Russian fossil fuels.

The European Commission says that saving energy is the “quickest way” to tackle the energy crisis.

He released a list of behavioral changes he said could reduce demand for oil and gas by 5%.

Asking drivers to go slower on the motorway could save around eight million tonnes of oil equivalent a year, he claims, while a further seven million tonnes could be saved by getting people out of their cars and by train or public transport.

Meanwhile, the Commission estimates that lowering heating, insulation and maintenance of boilers could save around 10 billion cubic meters of gas, according to its calculations.

The Commission encourages Member States to “launch specific communication campaigns targeting households and industry” on how to save energy.

It is part of a wide package of measures presented by the Commission on Wednesday as it tries to transform its energy system to reduce its dependence on Moscow.

The EU has generally bought around 40% of its gas and 25% of its oil from Russia.

This reliance has hampered its response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and provided the Kremlin with a vital source of funding.

In addition to wanting to cut funding to Moscow, there is growing concern in Europe that Moscow could cut supplies in retaliation for sanctions.

Other measures announced on Wednesday included encouraging member states to reduce VAT rates on insulation.

It also plans to consider a system of joint purchases to negotiate bulk gas purchases on behalf of member states.

Renewable energy targets should be increased from 40% to 45%, with the legal obligation to install solar panels on new buildings.

The European Commission said the plan marked its “response to the difficulties and disruptions in the global energy market caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”.

He said: “There is a double urgency to transform the European energy system: to end the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which are used as an economic and political weapon and cost taxpayers European countries nearly 100 billion euros per year, and tackle the climate crisis.

“By acting as a Union, Europe can more quickly eliminate its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.”