The Mercedes boss speaks out against a speed limit and driving bans.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Mercedes boss Ola Källenius called on the Germans to save energy: “We have to move closer together voluntarily. Everyone has to save as much energy as possible, that is now the first civic duty,” he told the Handelsblatt.
“In our house, fewer lights are turned on and it’s a few degrees cooler. People in war suffer a lot more,” said Källenius. Also “the Mercedes star is not illuminated at night.”
Mercedes “formed a task force one day after the Russian attack and can now reduce gas consumption by up to 50 percent”. And “because we don’t want to buy green electricity from others, we produce it ourselves”: A wind farm on a test track in Lower Saxony and one in the Baltic Sea should supply 40 percent of Germany’s needs.
There is also a “1000 roofs program for photovoltaics”. But the fastest way is in the USA: “With Alabama-Power we are building a gigantic solar park that will cover the entire electricity requirements for the plant there.”
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At the same time, Källenius spoke out against a speed limit and driving bans in order to reduce energy consumption: “We don’t need any bans, we can intelligently reduce consumption technologically.” In addition, “our motorways are a global seal of quality for our cars”.
>> Read here the full interview with Mercedes CEO Källenius and ESMT President Rocholl
Most recently, a push by Audi boss Markus Duesmann caused a discussion. In view of the energy crisis, the manager had said: “We have to rethink, realize that our lives are changing.” A speed limit could be a helpful symbol, but car-free days are even more effective, Duesmann explained in the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Money “as the only regulator” is not enough for the current extraordinary situation.
The Audi boss has thus also changed his personal attitude towards a speed limit. In an interview with the Handelsblatt in 2020, Duesmann spoke out against speed limits on German autobahns. “The effect on the climate is controversial and can be better achieved through intelligent traffic control,” said Duesmann at the time.
Should there be car-free days, Duesmann would also use them privately, he now said: “If it’s a Sunday, I’ll ride my racing bike on the closed highway.”
More: Speed limit and driving bans – CDU traffic politician attacks Audi boss
