Switzerland may have to outlaw the use of electric vehicles (EVs) this winter as part of a new four-step plan to prevent power disruptions.
Due to its dependence on imports, “non-essential” travel in electric cars will not be permitted. Switzerland worries that this winter will see an energy catastrophe because of its reliance on imports. The Telegraph reported that hydroelectric power accounts for almost 60% of Switzerland’s energy.
The country’s government has already planned to phase down nuclear power facilities, which produce another 30% of the energy. The remaining energy sources in Switzerland are traditional fossil fuels and wind farms, as per Euro Weekly News.
Swiss officials have already drafted emergency proposals that restrict power usage if they run out of energy this winter.
For instance, stores could have to close earlier, streaming options might need to be restricted, and structures might only need to be heated to 20 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Other bans may include concerts, theater performances, and sporting events, all to prevent a blackout.
Crisis and emergency are the two tiers of the nation’s emergency plan. The first layer similarly contains three levels of restrictions, and the third tier has two levels of restrictions.
Officials will activate each tier and level based on the supply level. Buildings will only be able to be heated to a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius. Electric vehicles will only be used for necessary travel as the situation worsens, and in the worst case, concerts and athletic events won’t be held anymore.
Similarly, California has warned its residents to avoid charging their electric vehicles during peak hours to avoid power outages.
“Californians are strongly urged to lower electricity use by setting thermostats to 78 or higher, health permitting, avoid using major appliances, and turning off all unnecessary lights,” officials said in September. “Tomorrow’s Flex Alert is the fourth consecutive call for conservation, as much of the state remains gripped in an extensive heat wave.”
The announcement comes after lawmakers in California moved to require all new vehicles in the state to run on electricity by 2035 in the hopes of cutting emissions from cars in half by 2040.
