Due to fears of fuel shortages, New Zealand may introduce mandatory car-free days.
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Finance Minister Nicola Willis said that a 1979 law is being considered, which would require motorists to refrain from driving one day a week. Violators would face monetary fines, writes Bild.
The mentioned law emerged after the Islamic Revolution in Iran and was in effect from July 1979 to May 1980. It was introduced with the same goal — the government sought to limit fuel consumption.
Aviation is also reacting: due to rising kerosene prices, Air New Zealand intends to cut 5% of its flights in the next two months, primarily domestic ones.
New Zealand is highly dependent on fuel imports. Since the start of the war in Iran, petrol prices have risen by almost 10%, and diesel by more than 20%, according to Gaspy data. Energy Minister Shane Jones stated that the country's current reserves are sufficient for approximately 50 days.
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