There are increasing signs that US motorists are changing their driving habits in the face of record prices at the fuel pumps. Posted on 04/09/2005 9:23:32 AM PDT by traumer
There are increasing signs that US motorists are changing their driving habits in the face of record prices at the fuel pumps.
While the US love affair with the motor car is far from over, consumer dismay has greeted the latest predictions that the average price of petrol will hit $2.35-a-gallon during the peak summer driving season.
That is cheap fuel by European standards, but represents a substantial spike in the US, where motorists were paying some 40 cents less last summer. Sales of gas-hungry sport utility vehicles and pick-ups are stalling, while drivers are taking drastic steps to cut down on expenses.
Brad Proctor, founder of Gaspricewatch.com reports a surge in price spotters for the site, which records prices at 128,000 gas stations to help consumers. "We are a nation that drives a lot. When prices go up by 25 cents in 30 days, it hits business and consumers hard."
'Changes in driving'
The price spike is fuelled by the rising cost of crude oil, which makes up about half the cost of retail petrol in the US.
I am a cabbie who does 120 miles a day - I'm not taking long fares as I lose out on the return trip - Daryl Smith
"Taxi firms and pizza deliveries are now charging surcharges to cover gas costs," said Proctor. "We are seeing changes in the way people are driving, what cars they are using. Families are leaving the big, gas-guzzling SUV at home and taking their second car for short trips."
Jay McIntosh, director of retail and consumer products at Ernst & Young, said "lower income earners" were most vulnerable. "In the longer term I think we'll see some inflationary pricing at retail on many imported items like clothing and household goods," he told the BBC.
AT THE PUMPS Highest gas price in the US is $2.99 per gallon, in San Francisco, California Lowest is $1.96 in Evanston, Wyoming UK drivers pay equivalent of $6.10 per gallon Source: Gaspricewatch.com
A majority of Americans say gas prices are causing financial hardship, according to a recent CNN/USA Today poll of 1,040 adults.
Fifteen percent of respondents said the price of gas was causing them "serious hardship" jeopardising their standard of living, while 43% described "moderate hardship".
Forty-eight percent said gas prices had caused them to cut back on their driving.
But demand grows
Despite high prices, demand is expected to continue to rise due in part to the increasing number of drivers and vehicles on the roads. The US Energy Information Administration says demand this summer will rise 1.8% from last summer, helping push pump prices to a peak average of $2.35 a gallon in May.
Lynn Franco, head of consumer research at The Conference Board, warned: "If we have several months of significantly higher prices then that is when we could see a marked impact in terms of consumer confidence."
For those on tight margins, the solution is to drive less.
Washington DC cabbie Daryl Smith said: "I'm not taking long fares as I lose out on the return trip. "In fact, I'm not cruising for fares now - I'm parking in the good spots."
That is correct. We just burned our bridges..
Perfect solution.
As it is now the American consumer is being robbed blind while our hands are tied. We have no choice but to pay and pay.
Theft, pure and simple.
And from the people who worship choice.
"While the US love affair with the motor car is far from over, "
What are our (the small citizens') alternatives? The country is like 100x the SIZE of the UK, air travel is only useful beyond a certain distance, and our mass transit options are poor in most locations. Trains, which the UK has with only moderate safety and track condition issues, are something many people my age have NEVER ridden in the US. Inter-city transport is not centralized here at all.
Performance:Top Speed: 104 mph
0-60 mph: 8.7 sec
1/4 mile: 17.2 sec
Range: 30 miles
Battery Capacity: 40Ahrs, 240 volts (~ 9 kW*hrs)
Controller Current Limit: 900 amps (motor or battery), Capable of 1200...but clutch slips
Charger: Onboard 6.5 kW, 240/208/120 volts (custom design)
That wouldn't get me into town
Gas prices will peak in early-mid May 20, then we may very well see a 50-60 cent collapse into June-July. Keep an eye on the rig count and the refinery utilisation figures (published every Wednesday). The specs can't keep the mkt at this level for long, absent some external event, and when they start being forced out of the mkt, the carnage will be spectacular. We same some evidence of this, btw, Thursday and Friday.
"
We need the oil, screw the Chicoms. besides, they need to be held back to second-world status. We must not ever allow the rising of another superpower."
At this point that seems inevitable, at least in the economic sense, in terms of realistic policy options for the government we actually have.
You're right about milk prices.............nearly $4 a gallon.
... but it will take some time
Lock 'em all up for sedition and treason.
To hades with environmentalists and ecoterrorists.
Hydrogen?
You mean like the stuff that BLEW UP the "Hindenburg"?
"This is one of the worst catastrophs in the world! Oh the humanity!"
"We need the oil, screw the Chicoms. besides, they need to be held back to second-world status.
We must not ever allow the rising of another superpower.... "
What are you talking about ??
The decision was made some time ago. The world manufacturing needs all the oil and energy !!
"Performance:Top Speed: 104 mph 0-60 mph: 8.7 sec 1/4 mile: 17.2 sec Range: 30 miles"
"That wouldn't get me into town"
LOL, it would only handle about half of my daily driving, but it's very interesting this man built this car in his garage.
I know of hundreds of other people who have done the samething, but their top speed is low. Some of these garage built cars are getting close to 200 miles on a charge, but that is city driving at lower speeds. My point is that if someone can build an electric car with $8000 that will go 200 miles on a charge, why can't the auto manufactures do any better?
Holtz
JeffersonRepublic.com
"It's more expensive than gas, and you don't even have to drill for cows."
Whatever... I don't drink 30 gallons of milk per week- apples and oranges.
Holtz
JeffersonRepublic.com
Still think the nationwide coordinated one-day-a-week boycott on filling up is a good idea.
"To: WoofDog123
"We need the oil, screw the Chicoms. besides, they need to be held back to second-world status.
We must not ever allow the rising of another superpower.... "
What are you talking about ??
The decision was made some time ago. The world manufacturing needs all the oil and energy !!"""""
confusion - are you replying to the excerpt from another poster i copied which you copied as well, or my own reply which you do not copy in your reply?
Heck, Cleveland tore up their trolley tracks in the late 50's. It would cost a fortune to re-lay them. We do have RTA light rail and the Shaker Rapid, but that's it.
Northern Ohio used to have one of the most extensive light rail systems in the world back in the day. Do a Google search on "NOT&L", and "Northern Ohio Traction & Light".
Clang! Clang! Clang! Went the trolley, Ding! Ding! Ding! Went the bell!
Was anyone paying forty cents last summer???
California has to pay the air-taxes.
:(
Man you got that right. Hell we wouldn't have had to worry about NK either.
Cross-X-Segway :o)
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