April 3, 2026
Veronika Grimm, a member of a government advisory panel of economists, has proposed putting temporary speed limits on Germany’s autobahns to help address sharply rising petrol and diesel prices tied to the Iran conflict and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the Rheinischer Post, Grimm said such limits would not be harmful and could send a clear signal that people should take the situation seriously.
The International Energy Agency has also recommended measures to curb oil consumption during the crisis, listing temporarily lower speed limits among possible steps. Grimm noted that many countries in the global south have already introduced restrictive measures — from mandated work-from-home policies to limits on road use — and warned that continued high consumption in wealthy countries would disproportionately impact those nations.
Fuel prices in Germany have surged. Motorists group ADAC reported that on April 1 the all-day average for diesel hit a record €2.327 per liter, while Super E10 averaged €2.129 per liter. Those price levels appeared two days after a new law took effect that restricts fuel retailers to one permitted price increase per day; ADAC suggested the rule may have encouraged firms to apply a single larger increase rather than smoothing rises over the day.
Any temporary speed limit touches a politically sensitive issue in Germany. About 70 percent of the autobahn network has no general speed limit, with most of the remaining sections subject to a 130 km/h recommendation or a formal limit. Grimm argued that a temporary restriction could both reduce fuel consumption and communicate the seriousness of the situation, even if it conflicts with long-standing driving freedoms on parts of the highway system.