[KevO]

Wow! How long before the UK and the rest of Europe cuts to 50mph and the US to. This WILL NOT please OPEC one iota
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')pain has launched an ambitious plan to reduce energy consumption and save millions of euros on oil imports by cutting the speed limit to 50mph and handing out millions of low-energy use light bulbs.

With the introduction of a broad swathe of measures between now and 2014, Spain's socialist government hopes to reduce Spain's oil imports by 10% per year, cutting consumption by 44m barrels and saving €4.14bn (£3.25bn).

During the country's sweltering summers, air conditioning systems in public buildings will be set no lower than 26C (79F). In winter, Spaniards will be allowed to turn the heating no higher than 21C (70F), with hospitals being the only exception.

Street lighting is to be reduced by up to 50% and the metro system in many cities will stay open later at weekends to encourage people to leave the cars at home. The government is also to introduce a pilot project for the manufacture of 1m electric or hybrid cars.

All Spanish government vehicles are to meet at least 20% of their energy needs through biofuels.

[KevO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]The government is also to introduce a pilot project for the manufacture of 1m electric or hybrid cars.

[kokoda]

Slowly at first, but eventually a whole range of restrictions will have to be bought in as it becomes more obvious that oil production has peaked.

I believe thrie is already discussion about America returning to the 55 MPH limit it had during the 70s oil embargo.

It wouldn't surprise me if we had rationing by next year.

[emersonbiggins]

This will make that 300 km/h AVE rail link between Barcelona and Madrid that much more crowded.

link

[Valdemar]

Too bad this will increase congestion and save next to nothing. And the optimal speeds for modern cars is around 70 MPH.

[lawnchair]

Good. A lower enforced speed limit has many side benefits. People are a lot more willing to consider walking, biking, scooters, low-power electric cars, etc, on a 40-50 mph road than a 65-80 mph one. They are also more willing to consider shared transportation, because even if a train/bus doesn't go any faster than the lower speed limit, a longer trip means you'd rather let someone else drive, while you sleep/read/surf/relax/work.

Without considering fuel constraints, though, my preference would be for freeways to go to Darwinistic speeds, while secondary roads are maintained, human friendly, and strictly enforced at something like 40-50 mph.

[Niagara]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Valdemar', 'T')oo bad this will increase congestion and save next to nothing. And the optimal speeds for modern cars is around 70 MPH.

[KevO]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Valdemar', 'T')oo bad this will increase congestion and save next to nothing. And the optimal speeds for modern cars is around 70 MPH.

[Jotapay]

My 49cc scooter approves of this thread.

[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('KevO', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Valdemar', 'T')oo bad this will increase congestion and save next to nothing. And the optimal speeds for modern cars is around 70 MPH.

[joeltrout]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kokoda', 'S')lowly at first, but eventually a whole range of restrictions will have to be bought in as it becomes more obvious that oil production has peaked.

[CarlosFerreira]

This will certainly reduce consumption, because of air resistance increase. I suppose this will help. Nissan is selling full-electric vehicles in Portugal come next year. It's a pilot project or something. People around me seem to believe this will equate to free driving. I'm trying to explain electricity comes from somewhere, but nobody cares.

So, let's have start-stop systems! We also need to lower the substitution cost for trains, buses and etcetera.

[Rabbit]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Valdemar', 'T')oo bad this will increase congestion and save next to nothing. And the optimal speeds for modern cars is around 70 MPH.

[Arsenal]

I did my own experiment as well.

2000 Ford Explorer
I have done an experiment on my fuel usage. 220 mile trip with the cruise control set.

85 MPH 3hr 15min trip time. 17.4 MPG 12.64 gallons used
75 MPH 3hr 37min trip time. 19.8 MPG 11.11 gallons used
65 MPH 4hr 02min trip time. 24.6 MPG 8.94 gallons used


Arsenal

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Arsenal', 'I') did my own experiment as well.

2000 Ford Explorer
I have done an experiment on my fuel usage. 220 mile trip with the cruise control set.

85 MPH 3hr 15min trip time. 17.4 MPG 12.64 gallons used
75 MPH 3hr 37min trip time. 19.8 MPG 11.11 gallons used
65 MPH 4hr 02min trip time. 24.6 MPG 8.94 gallons used


Arsenal

[Arsenal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nickel', '
')You drove 85 miles an hour for over three hours and didn't get hauled over? It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Attorney-General.

[Byron100]

Actually, back in the days I used to haul butt up and down the Florida peninsula, 85 mph was the speed I'd keep it at, which was at the top end of the "slack" that most highway patrolmen would give you. On the Turnpike, it was no sweat to do 90 mph, like for a whole hour at a stretch. Others would blast past me doing a 100, 110. Yes, traveling across Florida is THAT boring. If I had to do that at trip at 50, I'd not be able to do it at all via car..it'd be impossible for me to survive the trip...hehe.

Cars I can live without, though...so that's okay...I'll find another way to get there or don't go at all. But the killer for me would be the 79 min indoor air temp....there is no way I could handle that, not for more than an hour or 2 at a time...so that would be something I'd have a very serious problem with. If such a law was passed here in the States, I'd have to move to some place like the UP of Michigan, the coast or far north of Maine or perhaps the coast of Washington or Oregon (right along the coast, though, NOT inland). If there's one thing I cannot live without, it's AC...it's a must-have for me. Good thing I don't live in Spain, as where could you go that stays cool all year round?? That would suck really, really bad... I know they're trying to do the right thing to cut down on FF use, but I do feel for those people, I really do...dealing with heat indoors has got to be the worst thing possible.

But the max heat in winter, I'd have no problem at all with that...bring on the polar bears, baby! Me likes it COLD...hehe.

[Twilight]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Byron100', '.')..dealing with heat indoors has got to be the worst thing possible.

[Byron100]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Twilight', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Byron100', '.')..dealing with heat indoors has got to be the worst thing possible.