Vienna. Fulminant 120 seconds on the two test tracks in Lower and Upper Austria, drivers could get to their destination faster on the journey from Vienna to Salzburg if they drove 140 instead of 130 km / h. But that will soon be over: Leonore Gewessler – the new green minister for climate protection – will now quickly stop the project of her FPÖ predecessor, as she explained in an interview with AUSTRIA.
The ordinance is already on her desk – “in the next few weeks” the 140 signs on the West Autobahn – of which Hofer was so proud – will be removed. It is important for Gewessler: “Unfortunately, the 140 were the wrong direction, so that’s one of the issues that we are tackling quickly.”
Diesel privilege is now being discussed without taboos
Diesel 10 cents more expensive? The climate protection minister does not yet want to commit herself to diesel – even after the government retreat in Krems: the fuel for the diesel engines is taxed less than gasoline. If both were treated equally, diesel would be 10 cents more expensive – a 50-liter tank filling for five euros. In fact, the coalition has agreed to take measures against tank tourism as early as 2021 – price increases would be a tried and tested means. Gewessler: “We will discuss all of this without taboos.”
Gewessler: »Tempo 140 was going in the wrong direction – we’ll tackle that quickly«
AUSTRIA: What is your assessment of the government exam? There has been criticism from NGOs. Isn’t that a warning sign for you?
Leonore Gewessler: It was an intensive and positive first exam by the federal government. The measures that we now want to tackle by summer 2020 are the right levers to get us into a real eco-social tax reform. But it needs to be concretized. That is why the task force also starts in February. I also believe that this is exactly what NGOs are demanding.
AUSTRIA: You decide about a flight tax of 12 euros. Do you think anyone will let that stop them from flying?
Gewessler: The 12 euros are an important signal. It is a clear step for the short distance. It is important to us to make them more convenient, cheaper and more climate-friendly wherever we have alternatives. In addition, there is an anti-dumping regulation that is intended to prevent tickets from being sold under the price of taxes and fees.
AUSTRIA: You want to contain tank tourism. Is that different than simply higher diesel prices?
Gewessler: Tirol shows what it’s all about. There are, for example, driving bans for trucks. The issue is closely linked to transit and people’s quality of life.
AUSTRIA: Doesn’t that mean that you want to abolish the diesel privilege out of consideration for the coalition partner?
Gewessler: In comparison, we have lower prices than the neighboring countries. The pressure will surely increase if Germany gets into CO2 pricing earlier than we do. Therefore we will discuss everything without taboos.
AUSTRIA: Car manufacturers face fines because their fleets emit too much CO2. What are you doing to increase the number of electric cars sold?
Gewessler: There is great dynamism in this market and of course we want to support that. When it comes to being as environmentally friendly as possible, of course that means first of all a focus on public transport, walking, cycling. In individual mobility, the path is towards emission-free drives. We already have funding for the purchase of electric cars and we will also set a good example in public procurement.
AUSTRIA: The 1-2-3 ticket is your prestige project. Her predecessor Hofer is skeptical that it can be implemented. How do you reconcile the many transport associations?
Gewessler: There is good preparatory work. The ministry has already dealt with it, studies have already been commissioned, we are not starting from scratch. There are federal states that have gone before, i.e.Vienna, Vorarlberg, Tirol. I am convinced that the time is right.
AUSTRIA: Do you want to abolish 140 on the Autobahn? How long will it take?
Gewessler: The regulation is already in the works.
AUSTRIA: So she will go out in February?
Gewessler: We don’t have a precise schedule yet, but that will be in the next few weeks. We have such big tasks when it comes to climate protection that it is important not to go in the wrong direction in individual areas. The 140 was unfortunately the wrong direction, so that’s one of the issues we are tackling quickly.
Interview: D. Knob
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