High petrol and oil prices: Away from heavy cars

In Germany and Switzerland, politicians are demanding a tank discount. That’s cheap voting. It is more important that we get away from fossil fuels quickly. And probably drive more economical cars in general.

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Energy prices are rising. Petrol, gas, heating oil, everything has become more expensive. An annoyance, for sure. Who likes to pay more at the pump?

The development is tricky for those social classes that have little money but depend on a car for their job. There are these people, also in Switzerland, especially in the countryside. Despite all the frustration, the great majority can afford the higher prices.

It is therefore politically inappropriate to lower fuel taxes according to the watering can principle.

Such calls are primarily due to the opportunism of populist politicians who want to make themselves popular with parts of the population.

Harmful for the climate, freedom and democracy

Let’s stay with the big picture for now. The rising prices are largely due to Putin’s war against Ukraine. They show how fundamentally we are dependent on the oil of the scoundrels. In order to reduce imports from Russia, Western politicians are currently making a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia or Venezuela to politely ask the butchers there to produce a little more oil. As a reminder, the Saudi royal family beheaded 81 prisoners this week – a new record.

In other words: We go from bad to worse in these substitution exercises.

No matter where we get the oil from, there is usually blood on the hands of the autocrats who rule with fear and terror.

The price increases for fossil fuels are just a reminder of how damaging this business is not only for the climate, but also for our freedom and democracy.

Reduce dependency on oil and gas

Instead of spending our money domestically or in Europe on renewable energies such as wind, water or sun, it flows into the pockets of villains, war criminals and despots. The only political goal can therefore be to reduce dependence on oil and gas to a minimum as quickly as possible. That is where we should focus our engagement. And not to the side question of how we could reduce the price of petrol in the short term.

There are more promising strategies for this, because the price of petrol can only be influenced to a limited extent via taxes anyway.

Let’s start with buying behavior. The widespread lamentation conceals the fact that, on average, in Switzerland in particular, we drive cars that are too large and too heavy, and that consume too much petrol. If you want to save, you can start here. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an SUV to move forward elegantly. Smaller, more economical models do the same. And the longer it gets, the more it can be an electric car, with comfort and quality constantly increasing and prices falling.

Short distances on foot or by bike

Of course there are people who depend on the car and can hardly reduce journeys. But let’s be honest, most of us get in the car even when it’s not absolutely necessary. The short trip to Migros or to the hairdresser – that could also be done on foot or by bike. The family excursion to the lake – the post bus also goes there.

Many are not willing enough to do without the convenience that comes with having to use their own car all the time.

So far so good. But then you shouldn’t whine about the high gas prices. We live in the country with what is arguably the best public transport system in the world. Many trains and buses, especially in the countryside, drive around the area half empty. That wouldn’t have to be the case if more people switched.

There is no right to cheap petrol and heating oil

Yes, the prices are high. But they are the same with rents. Move to the country, country dwellers like to call out to city dwellers who complain. It could just as well sound the other way around: no one has to live in the country where the bus only runs every hour.

Of course, these are fruitless debates. But the fact is: There is no right to cheap petrol and heating oil. Fuel prices in particular have hardly risen in a long-term comparison, which has not benefited the environment and climate, freedom and democracy. Let’s use the price boom to force an exit. And think a little bit about your own behavior.