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 $2.35 a gallon in May.
Lynn Franco, head of consumer research at The Conference Board, warned: "If we have several months of significantly higher prices then that is when we could see a marked impact in terms of consumer confidence."
For those on tight margins, the solution is to drive less.
Washington DC cabbie Daryl Smith said: "I'm not taking long fares as I lose out on the return trip. "In fact, I'm not cruising for fares now - I'm parking in the good spots."
I don't fume, I just drive less.
| FINDING DEAL$ ON GA$OLINE: |
 12 Month National Average for Regular Unleaded by AAA.com |
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The same folks who whine about high gas prices don't bat an eye when they pay $5 for an 8 oz. cup of coffee.
UK drivers pay equivalent of $6.10 per gallon
Too bad US drivers. Time and time again you make the wrong choice. Reagan wanted to build dozens of nuclear power plants and you said no. You want the cleanest air possible? High gas prices are the price you pay. Don't want to drill in Alaska and off the California coast? Well deal with it.
It's amazing what big, whimpering simps the Americans have become in just one to two generations.
---it's well over $3.00/gal in the Death Valley area, but one can fill up in Pahrump, NV for about $2.35/gal---
Each time your local news runs a story on the price of gas, write them and suggest they mention how much of that price is tax.
All we need to do is A.) build more refineries now, B.) Drill EVERYWHERE there's oil here, (to hell with all environmental concerns!), C.) Make gasoline the number one priority in US refineries by executive order, D.) Don't export a drop to anyone else, period. E.) Open the strategic reserves and flood the market with oil causing the price to drop.
Finally? Declare all environmental activism against refineries and drilling as against the national interest and national security and declare groups like the Sierra Club, ELF, etc. as terrorist organizations and silence them once and for all.
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.
Truman should have listened to MacArthur, then we wouldn't have them to worry about today.
It was 2.28 yesterday in North Saint Louis County, 2.15 today..
I agree, environmentalists and NIBYists are TRAITORS who should be shipped off to Git'mo.
That's a great idea!
Very informative - thanks ! :o)
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)
Wrong analogy.
We can do without expensive coffee or easily find cheaper coffee.
We cannot do without gas nor is there competition.
The fact that other countries can raise the price of oil/gas at will whenever they want more money is insane. Insane because we can shortcircuit their monopoly by drilling our own if we can get the envirowackos neutered.
Ditto! What a bunch of snivelling babies! Two or three dollars more to fill up my tank does not cause me serious financial hardship. Want lower gas prices? Get these stinking liberals out of office so we can start to use this country's own resources! Or shut up!
"All we need to do is A.) build more refineries now, B.) Drill EVERYWHERE there's oil here, (to hell with all environmental concerns!), C.) Make gasoline the number one priority in US refineries by executive order, D.) Don't export a drop to anyone else, period. E.) Open the strategic reserves "
F) Annex Venezuela
That wouldn't get me into town
I'm fuming about milk prices. It's more expensive than gas, and you don't even have to drill for cows. Down with the Milk Cartel!
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