The Green Party has proposed cutting motorway speed limits to 55mph and introducing 20mph limits in towns as part of emergency measures to reduce fuel consumption, according to a policy document seen by the Daily Mail. However, the party's deputy leader reportedly was unaware of the plan, raising questions about internal communication.
The proposals, which also include gradually increasing fuel duty and requiring drivers to retake their driving tests every five years, aim to address the impact of the Iran war-driven energy shock on UK households. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has similarly called for lower speed limits, alongside behavioural changes such as carpooling and increased home working, to ease fuel demand and reduce inflationary pressure.
The IPPR study argues that around three-quarters of UK oil consumption is used in transport, and that reducing fuel demand should be central to the UK's response to volatile oil and gas prices. The Bank of England has warned that inflation could peak at six per cent in early 2027 under a worst-case scenario, with petrol prices rising 16 per cent and diesel by 30 per cent since the start of the Iran war.
The AA has advised drivers to reduce their speed to improve fuel efficiency, estimating that diesel drivers can save £10 per tank by changing their driving style. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) notes that driving at 70mph uses about 15 per cent more fuel than at 50mph over the same distance, suggesting that a 55mph limit could improve fuel efficiency by around 12 per cent.
The International Energy Agency has also called on governments worldwide to introduce lower speed limits as part of emergency measures, describing the current situation as "the greatest global energy security threat in history."
