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Gas prices might seem high right now, but this is likely the lowest we're going to see for a long time. Analysts all over America are pondering these new number...$100 / barrel now could mean $4 / gallon by spring.
Are we ready for it? And what will it mean, EcoGeeks?
Well, it could mean a pretty significant economic downturn, especially as the U.S. economy has already had to deal with the housing bubble deflating and the sub-prime mortgage "crisis." Increased gas prices are a tax on workers and companies alike. So the economy will, overall, slow.
However, it could be a good thing in the end. Americans have already shown that they will promote, invest in, and adopt new energy-saving technologies when it becomes cost-effective to do so. We have a hard time looking forward, but staring at $4 / gallon gas signs makes the MPG sticker a lot more interesting to a perspective buyer.
And that could promote a lot of investment from big business and venture capitalists into gas-saving or alternative technologies. Expect $4 gas to kick cellulosic ethanol investment into high gear, and don't be surprised if electric cars become not only much more newsworthy, but also purchasable as demand for gas continues to outpace supply.
Via AJC
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written by EV, January 10, 2008
The basic reason comes down the the UK and the rest of Europe charging very high taxes. Remove taxes from the price, and the prices are pretty much the same.
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written by Pelle, January 10, 2008
Sweden's situation is the same as the UK's - prices of around $7.5 per gallon - and that is mostly taxes of course, but putting taxes on something as polluting as gas is much better than "punishing" people from doing other stuff that's not equally polluting - like running their cars on ethanol or taking the bus or train.
That has at least been the philosophy here in Sweden for a while. Increase taxes on gas and similar and lower the income taxes and in the end you are paying less taxes then you were before - if you use less gas.
That has at least been the philosophy here in Sweden for a while. Increase taxes on gas and similar and lower the income taxes and in the end you are paying less taxes then you were before - if you use less gas.
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written by Bogdan, January 10, 2008
I don't see anything wrong with this. People will be inclined to use less their cars, thus reducing pollution in the city. Why not choose a bike or the subway to get the work?
I have had it with pollution blown in my face in the morning. :)
I have had it with pollution blown in my face in the morning. :)
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written by Ben, January 10, 2008
Here in Belgium we also pay around 8 dollars a gallon... So you really shouldn't be complaining :-D
Just buy smaller cars or diesels :)
Just buy smaller cars or diesels :)
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written by weee, January 10, 2008
I was trying to find a value for gas using a True Cost Economic value for it but couldn't find one.
My guess is it would currently run at $14 but I'd be interested to see an accurate figure...
My guess is it would currently run at $14 but I'd be interested to see an accurate figure...
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written by Biofuelsimon, January 10, 2008
We're paying about £4.50 UK gal (that's around $10/US gal) for gas in the UK and at that price increase from about £3:20 about four years ago the marginal cost of driving has not increased enough to cut congestion in London.
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written by filip, January 10, 2008
it pretty much comes down to this, i think ;
the us government is so set up in their ways concerning 'the american dream' and 'the free country' that by trying to promote this to their population they have to take mesures that nowadays are actually contraproductive.
The whole american constitution (a modern one was said when it came out) actually turns out to be rather antique in modern society. As long as "free" has such an important emphasis as americans claim, i don't see much changes to come. we shouldn't forget that originally america was populated (apart from the indians offcourse) by europeans who, in the first place tried to get a better life overseas, meaning they couldn't fit in here. the laws made up by such people could be less appropriate to the majority of "the human race".
this is pretty simply put, and it's not my intention to offend, if i should do so. i wouldn't mind a reaction of u.s. folks, though
the us government is so set up in their ways concerning 'the american dream' and 'the free country' that by trying to promote this to their population they have to take mesures that nowadays are actually contraproductive.
The whole american constitution (a modern one was said when it came out) actually turns out to be rather antique in modern society. As long as "free" has such an important emphasis as americans claim, i don't see much changes to come. we shouldn't forget that originally america was populated (apart from the indians offcourse) by europeans who, in the first place tried to get a better life overseas, meaning they couldn't fit in here. the laws made up by such people could be less appropriate to the majority of "the human race".
this is pretty simply put, and it's not my intention to offend, if i should do so. i wouldn't mind a reaction of u.s. folks, though
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written by EV, January 10, 2008
In other words, those of us in the US got tired of dictators controlling our lives and decided to do something about it, while those that stayed in Europe are happy to have every bit of their lives decided for them? ;D
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written by Amy, January 10, 2008
@Bogdan
That's great for living in the city - but for me to take public transportation to work would turn a 20 minute commute into 2 hours - both ways. It's about 10-15 miles, and if I was to bike I'd have to find a way to get across 2 freeways and a river.
Neither of these options sounds to tempting.
That's great for living in the city - but for me to take public transportation to work would turn a 20 minute commute into 2 hours - both ways. It's about 10-15 miles, and if I was to bike I'd have to find a way to get across 2 freeways and a river.
Neither of these options sounds to tempting.
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written by filip, January 10, 2008
have you thought about moving to the city then? it's been said for a long time that the future lies in the cities.
@EV since i was about 15 i was pretty convinced that a dictatorship was not at al a bad situation as -allthough they don't realize it- most people can't handle freedom
@EV since i was about 15 i was pretty convinced that a dictatorship was not at al a bad situation as -allthough they don't realize it- most people can't handle freedom
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written by Vellan, January 10, 2008
If I'm mistaken, Britain doesn't have a federal income tax program which means that taxes would have to be assessed on sales items, hence a federal sales tax (the VAT tax?).
This is actually something that is being kicked around here in the US. It is getting more publicity now due to the immigration issues that are prevalent in our media.
This is actually something that is being kicked around here in the US. It is getting more publicity now due to the immigration issues that are prevalent in our media.
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written by Nicholas, January 10, 2008
All of the comments about how gas is more expensive in Europe ignore the fact that distances in the US are much greater than those within any particular European country. Rail services within the US are not as robust as those in Europe so travel by car over long distances (500 miles ) is often the best option.
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written by Adam, January 10, 2008
Nicholas: Gas is cheap in the US cuz the railway system is bad or the railway system is bad cuz the gas is cheap?
Sooner or later gas will be expensive. What's gonna happen then?
And there is no public transportation in Boston (maybe there is i have no idea) cuz the distances are great in the US?
Sooner or later gas will be expensive. What's gonna happen then?
And there is no public transportation in Boston (maybe there is i have no idea) cuz the distances are great in the US?
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written by anti-filip, January 10, 2008
Wow, we've a fifteen year old fascist among us. Or at least someone who hasn't managed to learn anything since he was fifteen. Sounds like the typical crap that a disgruntled young person might come up with growing up in a free society. My wife, who grew up in communist Poland, knows better.
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written by filip, January 10, 2008
dictator : a person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.
fascism : a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
(dictionary.com)
do you notice a difference or not?
in any way, i believe kapitalism as it is, nor communism as known, neither dictatorship as seen is a good example.
fascism : a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
(dictionary.com)
do you notice a difference or not?
in any way, i believe kapitalism as it is, nor communism as known, neither dictatorship as seen is a good example.
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written by filip, January 10, 2008
could it be that european countries (i.e. governments) invested more money in railways (lets say from the taxes from gas) where U.S.government simply kept the gasprices low?
it is just a question folks, i don't know u.s. policy at all, and i sure do not whish to create a fight (what anti-filip probably thinks, considering his tone)
it is just a question folks, i don't know u.s. policy at all, and i sure do not whish to create a fight (what anti-filip probably thinks, considering his tone)
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written by EV, January 11, 2008
The US hasn't kept gas prices low, it simply hasn't taxed them into orbit like European countries do.
The gas tax is to pay for the roads and, in some places, mass transit. It is not an eco-tax.
The gas tax is to pay for the roads and, in some places, mass transit. It is not an eco-tax.
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written by Kevin N, January 12, 2008
An alternative view from the oil industry is that the price of crude oil could take a significant drop in the near future. The reason is simple economics: the current high prices have led to an exploration boom, which should lead to a surplus, which should lead to lower prices.
Here's a link:
http://www.portfolio.com/views/columns/economics/2007/12/17/Why-Oil-Prices-Will-Drop
Of course, many things could throw this off, such as instability in places like the Persian Gulf, Nigeria, or Venezuela.
What will happen in the longer term? It is hard to say.
BTW Paying $6/gallon for gasoline (the cheapest gasoline in Europe, but we also have a much lower per capita income than most of Europe) hasn't slowed down the car-buying boom here in my adopted home of Bucharest, Romania.
Here's a link:
http://www.portfolio.com/views/columns/economics/2007/12/17/Why-Oil-Prices-Will-Drop
Of course, many things could throw this off, such as instability in places like the Persian Gulf, Nigeria, or Venezuela.
What will happen in the longer term? It is hard to say.
BTW Paying $6/gallon for gasoline (the cheapest gasoline in Europe, but we also have a much lower per capita income than most of Europe) hasn't slowed down the car-buying boom here in my adopted home of Bucharest, Romania.
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written by Bob, March 06, 2008
Gas price are way to hight people are not doing the things they loved to do becouse the prices this is down to get bad fast !!
U
U
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written by Mike, August 11, 2008
In order to make a fair price comparison, you would have to add the $300 (US dollars) I pay for health insurance plus the $300 (US dollars) I pay for property taxes every month.
I use about 30 gallons of gasoline every month so in the simplest mathamatical eqaution that comes to approx. 1 gallon per day.
$4(1 gal gas) $10(1 day health ins.) $10 (property tax) = $24 per gallon.
Why is petrol so inexspensive in the UK?
I use about 30 gallons of gasoline every month so in the simplest mathamatical eqaution that comes to approx. 1 gallon per day.
$4(1 gal gas) $10(1 day health ins.) $10 (property tax) = $24 per gallon.
Why is petrol so inexspensive in the UK?
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I know it's not quite as simple a comparison as that, as the basic cost of living is different in the UK and the US... but still, it should make on ponder.