Germany remains the only large country in the world without a general speed limit on highways. One of the main arguments for this policy is that lower speeds represent a travel time cost that is not outweighed by benefits, such as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As transport decision making in the European Union is based on cost-benefit analysis (CBA), this paper compares the value of travel time, fuel consumption, infrastructure, crashes, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and air pollution. Results suggests that, at the low end of the estimate, a 130 kph speed limit will generate welfare gains in the order of 950 million Euro per year. The ‘no speed limit’ policy consequently represents a subsidy forwarded to fast drivers. The paper also discusses the views of the public vis-à-vis automobile lobbies, and the relevance of Germany's climate change mitigation law, mandating that transport systems be decarbonized. The CBA suggests that a 130 kph speed limit is a policy field where environmental concerns, positive economic effects, and public opinion can be aligned.

德国仍然是世界上唯一没有高速公路普遍限速的大国。该政策的主要论点之一是，较低的速度代表了旅行时间成本，而收益却无法抵消，例如减少温室气体排放。由于欧盟的交通决策是基于成本效益分析 (CBA)，本文比较了旅行时间、油耗、基础设施、事故、二氧化碳 (CO ₂) 和空气污染。结果表明，在估计的低端，130 公里/小时的限速每年将产生大约 9.5 亿欧元的福利收益。因此，“不限速”政策代表了对快速驾驶者的补贴。该文件还讨论了公众对汽车游说团体的看法，以及德国气候变化减缓法的相关性，该法要求交通系统脱碳。CBA 建议，130 公里/小时的限速是一个可以协调环境问题、积极的经济影响和公众舆论的政策领域。