Should cities launch car-free Sundays?

07 April 2022

A new report by The International Energy Agency (IEA) has outlined 10 measures that it believes could cut oil demand by 2.7 million barrels a day within four months to mitigate the shortages created by the war in Ukraine.

It argues that reduced speed limits, home working, and car-free Sundays would ease budget pressures facing drivers being squeezed by record rises in petrol and diesel costs.

The plan suggests reducing speed limits on motorways by 6mph and introducing car-free Sundays in big cities.

It is projected that lowering the speed limit on motorways from 70 to 64 mph may save 290,000 barrels of oil per day from vehicles and 140,000 barrels from lorries in the United Kingdom. While hybrid working might save 170,000 barrels for each day spent at home, car-free Sundays in major cities could save roughly 380,000 barrels.

The IEA’s 10-point plan to cut oil use in full:

1. Cut speed limits by at least 6mph
2. Work from home up to three days a week where possible
3. Car-free Sundays in cities
4. Cut the cost of public transport and encourage alternatives such as walking
5. Alternate private car access to roads in large cities
6. Increase car sharing, check tyre pressures and turn down air conditioning
7. Promote efficient driving for freight lorries and delivery vehicles
8. Use high-speed and night trains instead of planes where possible
9. Avoid business air travel where alternative options exist
10. Reinforce the switch to electric and more efficient vehicles

Would you welcome a lower speed limit on the motorways to save fuel and help the environment?