Reduced speed limit on highways to tackle oil addiction suggested

The International Energy Agency has proposed a ten-point plan to reduce global demand by 2.7 million barrels per day.

The plan includes a ban on driving cars in cities every Sunday, as well as a suggestion to reduce speed limits on motorways by 6mph.

The plan also calls for working from home three days a week and using high-speed overnight trains instead of planes where possible.

Here are the other suggestions put forward by the IEA:

• Boost the adoption of electric and more efficient vehicles
• Avoid business air travel where other options exist
• Promote efficient driving for freight trucks and cargo delivery
• Increase car-sharing practices to reduce fuel consumption
• Alternative private car access to major city roads
• Make public transport cheaper

It comes amid a warning that rising energy prices are discouraging drivers from switching to electric vehicles (EVs).

An AA survey of more than 12,500 motorists indicated that rising energy bills are the main reason for not switching to an EV for 10% of people.

A further 63% said the cost of electricity made them more reluctant to buy an EV, but that’s not the main reason to stick with a conventional fuel model.

AA President Edmund King believes the cost of living crisis means many drivers are keeping their existing vehicles longer than normal, but will consider electric vehicles once power markets stabilize.

In a speech to the Highways UK conference in Birmingham on Wednesday, he is expected to say: “Today there are almost half a million full electric vehicles on UK roads, with more models arriving. on the market each month.

“However, the cost of living and higher electricity costs are deterring almost three-quarters of drivers from making the switch now.

“For some drivers, this is a big psychological and practical leap from proven and reliable petrol or diesel cars to fully electric models.

“However, after making that leap, drivers won’t go back, and the change will ultimately lead to lower running costs and less damage to the environment.”

Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK will be banned from 2030.

But the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the rapid increase in sales of new pure electric cars has slowed in recent months.

Enrollment in the first three months of the year was 102% higher than the same period in 2021.

By the end of September, the year-to-date increase had fallen to 40.3%.