Limiting the maximum speed of cars: a decision by Volvo that supports sustainable mobility

By Aurélien Schuller, manager at Carbone 4, Mobility Division

The automotive group Volvo Cars announced [1] limit the top speed to 180 km/h on all its models starting in 2020. If the decision is based on road safety considerations, It paves the way for a discussion on sustainable mobility from an environmental perspective, through the issue of ""moderation" in common practice (“moderation”—a rather relative term, since we must admit that not being able to drive faster than 180 km/h isn’t exactly temperance). In fact, this more generally echoes the a reevaluation of our relationship with the "always more" approach to mobility : more powerful, faster vehicles, to go farther, faster, etc. The transition to sustainable mobility requires action on two dimensions as shown in the diagram: the technical (the evolution of vehicles and engines toward more efficient solutions and lower-carbon energy sources), the other aspect being thechanges in behavior and practices (changing modes of transportation, carpooling, or reducing travel).

While we often focus on technical solutions to decarbonize transportation, let’s commend Volvo Cars’ decision, which aligns with the necessary shift in how we use and relate to cars.

  [1] Press release on the Volvo Car France website: www.media.volvocars.com