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Swiss Government May Ban EV Use This Winter to Conserve Electricity

Dubbed the "Ordinance on Restrictions and Prohibitions on the Use of Electric Energy," the plan is in a draft phase at present and was put together to detail restrictions on energy consumption this winter.
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The plan supposedly outlines two separate phases of restrictions. The first one would be the emergency phase and would have three degrees of restrictions that will entail reducing shop operating hours, turning off heating systems in nightclubs, and reducing temperature in buildings to no more than 20 degrees celsius. The restrictions on electric vehicle usage for non-essential travel is in the third escalation level of the emergency phase.

The second category is the crisis phase, which will be more restrictive in terms of energy usage and could result in streaming services and gaming consoles being banned, Christmas lights being turned off, and all sports and leisure facilities closed down. The degree of restrictions will be based on the amount of energy available.

The country gets approximateloy 60% of its energy from hydroelectric power stations that rely heavily on snow melt during the spring and summer. As a result, they are rendered much less productive in the winter months. They provide a surplus of energy in the warmer seasons, allowing the government to export excess power to neighboring countries.

However, in the winter months, they must import energy from France and Germany, and that supply will be costly and erratic this winter because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

It is not clear how the restrictions will be enforced or who will determine whether one's travel needs are essential or not. The plan certainly is reminiscent of the Covid lockdowns that crippled the global economy and put the public's faith in governments into question.  It will certainly be interesting to watch the situation develop if the plan is implemented and what kind of tolerance the general public will exercise.

It also remains to be seen if other countries in the region will follow in drawing up similiar plans.
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