Switzerland is also afraid of a blackout this winter. That’s why the Confederates don’t hesitate. A draft by the Swiss Confederation dated November 23 entitled “Ordinance on Restrictions and Bans on the Use of Electrical Energy” envisages far-reaching measures that could be taken as part of four escalation levels in the event of an energy shortage.
This also includes a ban list for car traffic. On the one hand, the speed limit on Swiss motorways is to be reduced from 120 km/h to 100 km/h. But most of all, the rules affect all drivers of electric cars: they are banned from driving in the event of a power shortage. This emerges de facto from the draft, because it says literally: “The private use of electric cars is only permitted for absolutely necessary journeys (e.g. professional practice, shopping, visiting the doctor, attending religious events, attending court appointments).”
The ban would affect at least 110,000 Swiss drivers. Spicy: E-mobility has also recently been strongly promoted in Switzerland. However, it is doubtful that anyone will still buy an electric car if they have to reckon with not being able to use it in winter. The Swiss car importers association has confirmed to “Auto Schweiz” that they will fight against any electric driving ban.
The other Swiss requirements relate primarily to the operation of electrical devices. For example, washing machines may run at a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius, and refrigerators may not be cooled below 6 degrees. Everything at home that is only for comfort – saunas and steam baths, for example – should only be used to a limited extent.
Above all, the energy bottlenecks in France and Germany have increased the risk of a blackout for Switzerland. “In winter, the country imports large amounts of electricity. In 2021 it was 5.7 billion kilowatt hours, which came mainly from France and Germany,” reports the tech portal “Golem”. That means: Without French nuclear power plants or German wind energy surplus, the lights go out in Switzerland.
But France has been grappling with many nuclear power plant outages this winter, and Germany’s wind and solar power supply has been erratic. Added to this is the acute lack of gas. Switzerland therefore anticipates a high risk of blackouts.
