Author: switzerlandtimes.ch

How much road tax must be paid to drive an electric car in Switzerland varies significantly depending on the canton. It can also change with little warning, reported SRF this week. Annual vehicle tax on the fully electric Tesla Model Y Long Range costs CHF 1,353 in Geneva. In Zurich, Solothurn, Nidwalden, Glarus and St. Gallen road tax for the same vehicle is zero. Thurgau (48), Obwalden (63), Bern (111), Graubunden (111), Basel (129), Valais (160), Vaud (168), Neuchatel (260), Zug (260), Ticino (283), Schaffhausen (330), Uri (384), Jura (403), Aargau (420), Basel Landschaft (433), Fribourg (568), Appenzell Innerrhoden (686),…

Switzerland has a new supercomputer, which was inaugurated by Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin this week at the national high-performance computing center in Lugano, reported RTS. The computer, known as “Alps” is one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. To perform the calculations that “Alps” manages in one day, would require a standard laptop 40,000 years. The new supercomputer was developed to meet the computing requirements of science, AI in particular. The large amount of data and computations required by the neural networks at the heart of some AI models require enormous computing power. Weather, climate and medical models…

Every year, Switzerland tests its apocalyptic-sounding sirens on the first Wednesday of February. On 5 February 2025, over 5,000 sirens sounded throughout Switzerland during the siren test. 99% of the sirens tested worked perfectly, reported the authorities. As part of the test more than 12 million push notifications were sent from the Alertswiss app during the course of the day. Several cantons also tested their mobile sirens. Sirens were installed across the country starting in 1936 and testing was introduced in 1970, before becoming compulsory in 1988. Switzerland has roughly 5,000 fixed sirens and 2,200 mobile ones. 600 of which…

On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship. The terms agreed between Brussels and Bern now need to be formalised in legal form. However, it is likely that those against the relationship or the form of it will oppose it. A key question is whether the treaties agreed with the EU will by subject to a mandatory or an optional referendum. This week, a parliamentary committee concluded that a mandatory referendum is not required, reported SRF. A mandatory referendum must achieve…

The results of a survey published on 31 October 2024 show widespread discrimination and abuse in Switzerland’s military. The survey was aimed at gauging the level of discrimination and abuse within the Swiss military and focused in particular on discrimination and abuse against women. Unlike men, women in Switzerland are not forced to do military service, however some volunteer. The survey was given to all 2,085 female military personnel and to the same number of male recruits. 1,126 people completed the survey. Discrimination and sexualised verbal, nonverbal and physical violence based on gender and/or sexual orientation are prevalent in the…

Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.1% in January 2025. Across 12 months inflation was +0.4%, reported the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Annual inflation at the end of January 2025 is the lowest it has been since April 2021 when it was +0.3%. While many nations, such as the UK and the US, are struggling to rein in inflation, Switzerland is going against the grain. In the US annual inflation rose to 3% at the end of January 2025 and in the UK it reached 3.9%, the highest it has been in 10 months. Even in Japan, where inflation…

A recently published report shows that only a tiny percentage of rascist incidents affecting Muslims in Switzerland are reported. Around a third (35%) of Switzerland’s 450,000 Muslims report being victims of racism. However, only around 60 people a year report such incidents to Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres. Marianne Helfer, head of the Federal Office for Combating Racism, the organisation responsible for the report, said hostile attitudes towards Muslims are relatively high in Switzerland compared to those against other minorities. According to another survey by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), hostility towards muslims is the most widespread form of hostility…

In November 2024, 52.7% of voters rejected a federal government plan to expand key sections of Switzerland’s motorway network. Environmental issues associated with road traffic and the cost (CHF 5.3 billion) were common reasons given by those rejecting the proposal. This has left the government with no path to solve the country’s infrastructure bottlenecks. This week it announced a proposal to combine investment in roads with investment in rail infrastructure, which is also overloaded, reported RTS. In addition, Transport Minister Albert Rösti said he will get ETH Zurich to advise on the proposal in the hope that external expert advice…

According to a study by Swissmedic, there are deficiencies in the disinfection, sterilisation, packaging and storage of medical products in Swiss hospitals. The recently published report based on a study done in 2023 by Swissmedic shows that almost all of the 25 Swiss hospitals inspected have deficiencies in the disinfection, sterilisation, packaging and storage of medical products. In addition, the problem is becoming worse. An earlier study done in 2021 and 2022 found fewer deficiencies. According to Swissmedic there is a lack of awareness of hygiene protocols. 91% of all inspections showed deficiencies, according to the study. The same figure…

The new Federal Council jet does not fit into the existing federal hangar at Bern-Belp airport near Bern because the plane is too big, reported RTS. The Bombardier Global 7500 does not fit into the existing building in Bern-Belp due to its size and will probably be housed at the Payerne military airbase in Vaud for the next two years while a new hangar is created. The government said that due to the requirements of the new state aircraft, it was clear from the outset that work would be required in Bern-Belp to house it. This new hangar is intended…