M-ways face 60mph limit to cut emissions

16th October 2009

Motorway speeds in the UK could be electronically limited to 60mph to cut carbon emissions – even though Germany still refuses to introduce any maximum on its autobahns.

Last week, a report by Government advisory body the Committee on Climate Change said dropping the national limit to 60mph could slash CO2 output by 1.4 million tonnes. It urged MPs to “seriously consider” enforcing the restriction by fitting GPS-based speed limiters in all cars.

Figures show more CO2 per person is emitted in Germany than here, yet expressways will remain unrestricted there. Chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to implement a limit. Her nation has the world’s sixth largest CO2 output, at 9.7 tonnes per person a year, to the UK’s 9.39 tonnes.

An AA spokesman said: “This isn’t needed. There are 20 per cent more cars on the roads than 10 years ago, but emissions are lower. Drivers are changing their speeds to increase mpg, as petrol is so expensive.”

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