Derestricted Autobahns Possibly Axed Due To Emissions
If a motoring journalist is testing a fast car, chances are they’re going to take it on the Autobahn to really show off its performance. Driving to the Nurburgring for a track day? Then you can’t not whip the Autobahn on the way. But, thanks to pesky emission laws, these derestricted motorways could be coming to an end.
The german government is currently looking at proposals to add speed limits to the long stretches of speed limitless roads that currently stretch from one side of Germany to the other. This is all due to Germany’s National Platform, who drafted a drafted recommendations on the Future of Mobility. They propose a cap on all of the country’s motorways to lower emissions brought about by engines cruising at high RPM.
Reuters have reported that, since 1990, the country’s emissions have not fallen, despite the increased efficiency of new cars with more advanced powertrains. So what exactly are they proposing?
Speeds would be limited to 81mph (130kph) which is similar to the rest of Europe – minus Britain which caps at 70mph. These changes would be made alongside increases and fuel tax, with greater increases for diesel.
The decisions on the matter will be finalised towards the end of March, but don’t panic yet. It’s been said that not all off the proposed changes will make it into the final draft. So let’s hope, for the sake of all of us with cars that can reach speeds higher than 81mph, they think twice. We can’t lose another great road to emissions.
