Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche has opposed the introduction of one Speed limits and car-free Sundays to save fuel. At the same time she did in an interview with Augsburg General made it clear that she was considering financial relief for drivers. “One measure could be to temporarily increase the commuter allowance,” said the CDU politician. “This specifically relieves the burden on those who rely on the car.”
The high fuel prices are an enormous burden for the entire country. It is not possible to predict how long the Iran war will last. “In the short term, unfortunately, we cannot promise drivers that the price will go down noticeably,” said Reiche.
According to the minister, it would not have a significant effect if drivers had to drive more slowly on the motorway or leave their car parked one day a week. “By the way, the price for gasoline and diesel is not determined on the German highway, but on the world market. Speed limits and car-free Sundays would have no noticeable influence on this,” said Reiche.
The Economics Veronika Grimm In view of high fuel prices as a result of the Middle East war, he described a speed limit as a very clever signal “so that people take the situation seriously.” Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Consumer Protection Minister Stefanie Hubig (both SPD) had spoken out in favor of a “flexible price cap” that would prevent extreme price increases.
“Sufficient gas and oil”
With regard to delivery failures due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the Iran war, Reiche said: “There is sufficient gas and oil available in Germany and Europe; we only purchase very small quantities from the Middle East.”
The Federal Government is considering relieving the burden on private households through a lower electricity tax, said the Economics Minister. Although this doesn’t help directly at the pump, it does reduce the overall energy bill. One Reduction in vehicle tax Reiche rejected it as “too unspecific”: “It would also benefit those who can tolerate the high prices because of their high income or those who don’t drive to work in their car.”