Gas prices are your fault
Quote:
Who's at fault for gas prices? Partly, it's us
Big autos, longer commutes gobbling up supplies
May 11, 2004
BY JOCELYN PARKER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Sorry folks: We're at least partly to blame for the ongoing pain at the
gas pump.
Like it or not, we're burning more gas than ever. Consumption has jumped
nearly 24 percent since 1990. And the government says we're on track to
burn another 48 percent by 2025.
Sure, there are more vehicles on the road. Between 1990 and 2001, the
number of registered vehicles grew about 22 percent, according to the
federal government. And the miles those vehicles traveled jumped 29
percent.
But the biggest reason consumption has risen so sharply -- after growing
at a much slower pace in preceding years -- is parked in many of our
driveways: The number of light trucks, especially SUVs, has spiked in
the past several years, growing about 74 percent between 1990 and 2001.
And since these vehicles consume more gas than passenger cars, they're
likely responsible for the record level of fuel use, experts say.
Who's at fault for gas prices? Partly, it's us
Big autos, longer commutes gobbling up supplies
May 11, 2004
BY JOCELYN PARKER FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
Sorry folks: We're at least partly to blame for the ongoing pain at the
gas pump.
Like it or not, we're burning more gas than ever. Consumption has jumped
nearly 24 percent since 1990. And the government says we're on track to
burn another 48 percent by 2025.
Sure, there are more vehicles on the road. Between 1990 and 2001, the
number of registered vehicles grew about 22 percent, according to the
federal government. And the miles those vehicles traveled jumped 29
percent.
But the biggest reason consumption has risen so sharply -- after growing
at a much slower pace in preceding years -- is parked in many of our
driveways: The number of light trucks, especially SUVs, has spiked in
the past several years, growing about 74 percent between 1990 and 2001.
And since these vehicles consume more gas than passenger cars, they're
likely responsible for the record level of fuel use, experts say.
Link
And it's going to get worse this summer
Comments
Do I miss the truck?
Not one bit.
Fellowship
I blame urban sprawl and the people that design new developments with only cars in mind. I live in an urban environment but recently had to go to a town in the middle of farm-filled central illinois. We were quite literally shocked by the MASSIVE strip mall complex (like 20 massive strip malls clumped together in the middle of nowhere) and the fact that nothing but hotels were more than one story tall. Amazing. Just to go from one store to the next you had to get back in your car and drive across a vast parking lot.
In contrast, where I live I only use the car every two weeks or so. I don't even need public transportation.
I haven't sold a car, but this car is currently my primary vehicle.
Originally posted by Ebby
I recently bought a Civic Hybrid. Currently running 39.4 MPG. Also, I get 400 miles/tank so the last time I bought gas, it was still at $1.99/gallon.
I am getting my first car soon, it's either going to be my brother's jeep, or(happy birthday WR) a hybrid.
Gas prices are expected to flirt with or reach $3.00/gallon in SoCal
400 miles a tank sounds mighty fine to me.
But you really have to test drive them before making a purchase. The dealers around here all gave me some BS to prevent me from driving the cars. (Can't find keys, other costomers, someone else is out now...) Unless they are certain you will purchase the car, they will try to prevent you from driving it; which is kinda pointless.
Oh, and a note: Don't mention the competition (Civic vs. Prius) until the end of your reviews. They don't like it.
Originally posted by Ebby
I also considered the Prius and it has a little more power, but all the meters/dials are in the center of the dash, not in front of the driver like normal cars. The Prius also "looks" like a hybrid car. I just want a normal looking car, thankyouverrymuch.
But to each his own.
indeed, Most times when I mention hybrids to people their response is usually something to do with ugly aesthetics. It's surprising how much the look of the car matters.
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
indeed, Most times when I mention hybrids to people their response is usually something to do with ugly aesthetics. It's surprising how much the look of the car matters.
Very true. I think manufacturers have thought that if someone was going to by a hybrid they wanted something that looked "different".
I think they would do well to make to make cars that look "exactly the same" but just happen to get phenomenal MPG.
Originally posted by Ebby
The Prius also "looks" like a hybrid car. I just want a normal looking car, thankyouverrymuch.
How 'bout the Civic hybrid? I agree that the Prius can look a little too "futuristic". The Civic hybrid, OTOH, looks like, well, a Civic.
Edit: Doh. Need to read the thread more carefully next time. [slinking away...]
Originally posted by Towel
How 'bout the Civic hybrid? I agree that the Prius can look a little too "futuristic". The Civic hybrid, OTOH, looks like, well, a Civic.
(that's what he has
Originally posted by Towel
How 'bout the Civic hybrid? I agree that the Prius can look a little too "futuristic". The Civic hybrid, OTOH, looks like, well, a Civic.
Some people don't want a car that stands out...
... and some people do!
Lets just say the "cop factor" played into my purchase decision. It is sometimes good to blend into the croud. 8)
Civic Hybrid
BTW: That is mot me driving.
Originally posted by quagmire
Chevy is coming out with a mild hybrid Silverado. It will save you about 4-5% on gas consumption( its better then nothing right?). This how it will work. When the truck stops the gas motor shuts down and a eletric motor will powering all of the instruments and radio on idle. When you tap the gas pedal, the engine automatically starts up. A meduim size portion of gas consuption is idle. So this should help a little.
It's better than nothing. it would be great if that was an easy mod for auto shops to do, cheap, quick install..etc.
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
indeed, Most times when I mention hybrids to people their response is usually something to do with ugly aesthetics. It's surprising how much the look of the car matters.
that's strange because most SUVs and pick-up are ugly imo
Originally posted by SDW2001
Gas prices are not our fault. They are the fault of the greedy Oil cartel and oil companies who are setting record profits.
probably true to some degree, oil companies are evil empires, but society is to blame as well. supposedly we've reached peak oil as well. so it's a combination
Originally posted by quagmire
Chevy is coming out with a mild hybrid Silverado. It will save you about 4-5% on gas consumption( its better then nothing right?). This how it will work. When the truck stops the gas motor shuts down and a eletric motor will powering all of the instruments and radio on idle. When you tap the gas pedal, the engine automatically starts up. A meduim size portion of gas consuption is idle. So this should help a little.
Hmmm...
I would have thought the added complexity and cost would be prohibitive for such a modest improvement.
Either it doesn't cost as much as I would imagine (manufacturing or engineering), or Chevy is testing the water to see if people will pay more for at least the illusion of being "eco-friendly".
Originally posted by burningwheel
that's strange because most SUVs and pick-up are ugly imo
that's what I said
Originally posted by SDW2001
Gas prices are not our fault. They are the fault of the greedy Oil cartel and oil companies who are setting record profits.
Spoken like a true recent SUV buyer.