Swiss may halt electric cars to keep lights on

SWITZERLAND will ban the use of electric cars for ‘non-essential’ journeys if the country runs out of energy this winter.

The Swiss government is drawing up plans, in emergency and crisis tiers, in the event the nation is hit by blackouts.

They call for shop hours to be reduced and, in the most extreme stages, stadiums cannot be lit and concerts banned.

Switzerland mostly relies on hydro electric power it exports in large amounts in warmer months. But it is highly dependent on imports for winter.

Emergency measures start at a 40C limit for washing machines, and public buildings – except hospitals and nursing homes – heated to 20C.

This will lower to 19C in the next level. Under the next tier, shops will be asked to reduce opening times by two hours per day and electric vehicles limited to essential trips such as food shopping.

The crisis tiers start with hot water shut off in public bathrooms and air conditioning in homes barred.

Next, outdoor Christmas lights will be switched off and escalators stopped.

In the next stage, stadiums cannot be lit. And in the most extreme scenario, all

leisure businesses will have to close.