It sounds futuristic, but plenty of the building blocks are already here.
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Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, and Ford use geofencing in some plug-in hybrids to automatically switch into electric mode when entering low-emission zones.
Volvo has also used the technology to limit speeds in commercial vehicles operating inside designated areas.
Europe's Speed-Limiter Baby Steps
Europe has taken a step in that direction with Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA).
Unlike geofencing, ISA doesn't stop drivers from speeding, but it can recognize changing speed limits using cameras and GPS data before warning drivers they've gone too fast.
A fully geofenced system would take things much further.
Instead of simply warning you, the vehicle could refuse to accelerate beyond the local speed limit while driving through predefined zones, then return to normal operation elsewhere.
Supporters argue that could reduce crashes, improve pedestrian safety, and enforce speed limits far more consistently than roadside cameras ever could.
Critics see something very different, questioning whether governments or manufacturers should have the ability to electronically dictate how privately owned vehicles are driven.
The technology, then, may be the easy part.
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The real challenge will be convincing motorists that the car they've paid for should sometimes have the final say over their right foot.
