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Car-free Sundays the answer to less oil demand?
Could you give up your car on a Sunday? A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that the 10 measures below could cut oil demand by 2.7 million barrels a day within four months. Which of the points do you think would actually work?
The strategies for reducing fuel consumption include cutting motorway speed limits by 6mph. Also by getting big cities behind a car-free Sunday initiative. The hope is that these proposed measures would ease the pressures facing motorists. Right now car drivers’ budgets are being squeezed by the rising petrol and diesel costs. The energy forum represents 29 nations and said that its proposals are “practical actions” that consumers and governments can take right away.
Reducing the oil demand to a “more sustainable pathway” and shrinking Russia’s energy revenues are key motivators for the report which has come ahead of the peak oil demand season in July and August – which is when vehicle use in the US typically increases.
Here in Britain, there could be a saving of approximately 290,000 barrels of oil a day from cars just by reducing the motorway speed limit from 70mph to 64mph. The saving for trucks would be 140,000 barrels of oil a day with the same reductions. It is thought that the hybrid working that we’ve adapted to since Covid-19 actually could save 170,000 barrels for each day at home.
Here is the 10-point plan including car-free Sundays:
- Cut speed limits by at least 10kph (6mph)
- Work from home up to three days a week where possible
- Car-free Sundays in cities
- Cut the cost of public transport and encourage alternatives such as walking, cycling, and micro-mobility
- Alternate private car access to roads in large cities, giving access to certain plate numbers
- Increase car sharing, check tyre pressures, and turn down air conditioning
- Promote efficient driving for freight lorries and delivery vehicles
- Use high-speed and night trains instead of planes where possible
- Avoid business air travel where alternative options exist
- Reinforce the switch to electric and more efficient vehicles
Read more about the news from the International Energy Agency via RAC.com.