Why Is Switzerland Looking Forward to Restricting and Banning the Use of Electric Vehicles

Published  December 9, 2022   0
Switzerland- Electric Vehicle

Switzerland relies heavily on hydropower in order to meet its energy requirements; around 60 percent of the power is generated from hydropower

Globally, the electric vehicle industry has been witnessing a huge growth and the government has also unleashed various schemes and incentives to boost the sector. But, of late, some media reports cited that the European country Switzerland is looking forward to ban electric vehicles completely in the country. But, this is not true because it has only drafted some emergency proposals so that it does not face any kind of energy crisis this winter.

According to a report of the Economic Times, Switzerland relies heavily on hydropower in order to meet its energy requirements; around 60 percent of the power is generated from hydropower. But, when winter appears, the production becomes very limited. In fact, power is also imported in the country from France and Germany. Because of the Ukraine war most of the European countries are facing a massive energy crisis. Now, as per the report of ET, French utility EDF saw its electricity output drop to a 30-year low earlier in 2022 due to a record number of nuclear reactor outages, and it is racing against time to ensure its fleet can run at full capacity for the depths of winter.

Amidst the European energy crisis, France is more into a dangerous situation because of the fallout from the scuffle in Ukraine as compared to other European nations. This is also because the nuclear availability and the demand is very low. The 'Ordinance on Restrictions and Prohibitions on the Use of Electric Energy' serves as the major source of this report. Currently, this is only a recommendation that the Swiss Federation Council is gearing up to adopt for a chance of energy shortage. Now, if it faces the crisis then it opts for four stages of escalation. The ban on e-mobility will be effective only at the third stage of escalation.

The recommendation proposed that "Private use of electric vehicles is permitted only for absolutely necessary journeys like exercising one's profession, shopping, visiting the doctor, attending religious events, attending court appointments." The ordinance is meant to regulate "restrictions and prohibitions on the use of electrical energy in order to secure the country's electricity supply," it is likely that EVs will face a partial ban rather than an outright ban in Switzerland ".

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