Would You Pay Double for Gas?

[30ashopper]

Interesting tidbit on electric cars:

It takes energy (about 12 kWh) to explore for oil, drill, pump, ship, refine, distribute, and pump a gallon of gasoline into a car. If this energy is used directly by an electric car, which can go about 48 miles on 12 kWh, we would be net savers of energy compared to a gasoline car, which can go about 30 MPG. And, if you add up the energy to produce a gallon of gasoline (12 kWh) plus the energy in the gallon of gasoline (33.7 kWh), you get 45.7 kWh. A 100% electric car can go about 183 miles on 45.7 kWh, which is over 6 times farther than a gasoline car can go on one gallon of gasoline.

What we want to do is convert our old car to an ev and trickle charge it w/the extra solar energy we produce. That would be so cool!

I've looked at the chevy volt specifically for this reason. When I finally find the right house and go solar, using an electric car for grocery getting would just be icing on the cake! No more power or gas bills.

 

[Gidget]

SORRY - and the question was.......would I pay double for a gallon of gas?

We ARE paying double and then some for gas right now - in subsidies to BIG OIL and in the worse environmental disaster in history.

If all the oil industry tax subsidies received from the federal and state governments and other costs that went into producing that gallon of gasoline were included in the pump price it would push the true price of gasoline as high as $15.14 a gallon, according to a new report released by the International Centre for Technology Assessment.

"In reality, the external costs of using our cars are much higher than we may realize," the Washington-based research group said in its report.
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I don't know what the answer is for the average American - but when the prices climb we will have to find ways - through park and rides, carpools, buses, trains, smaller cars, ev's, working from home, etc.... Think of business travel too - many could do meetings via phone and computer. We will just have to get very creative and busy implementing change.

 

[Lynnie]

I have two appointments set for discussion of conversion to solar energy for my home. I will definitely need an architect as well because of the large oak I have shading most of my home and the age of this house approaching 100yrs. I will share my findings and cost estimates with Y'all.

 

[Edgy Grammy]

Is it 2012 yet? Is the world coming to an end? Because - TA DA - I agree w/Edgy Grammy's post. OMG that's amazing.............:shock:

Oh MY, Ms Gidget, not sure if you are old enough to remember Fred on TV played by (Red Fox) who was always having the "big one." Sweetie you agreeing with me, is giving me the "big one" too. See we can agree on stuff.. the important stuff!!!!

 

[scooterbug44]

I already pay double for gas - that's how much it has increased in price since I got my first car (which I am still driving BTW). ;-)

And yes, I would be willing to pay more for gasoline BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR HABITS AND THINK THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES OIL.

If you want to drive an SUV or other vehicle with low MPG, that is fine with me - you just have to be willing to pay $$ to fill it up. Most people find that when the price of gas goes up they don't really need the turbo and oversized engine to drive down the highway or drop the kids at school.

The recent spike in prices had a lot of people rethinking their vehicles and most of the new cars you see Sowallers driving get better mileage and are smaller than their old one.

Papa Scooterbug has always driven a truck or SUV - because he actually needs that kind of vehicle. He regularly does the things they show the vehicles doing in the commercials - he hauls things, he tows things, he drives through streams, up mountains, through blizzards, over roads that have us wishing they hadn't changed the locations of the JC handles, has to put it in 4 wheel to reach his house or get in and out of the driveway several months of the year etc. He is also willing to pay $$ for the gas that lets him do that...................and Mama Scooterbug has a car that they drive when not needing those features because it gets better mileage. ;-)

 

[scooterbug44]

I believe the magic number is $3.50-4 a gallon (as it varies by state and region). That is the point at which conservation, alternate fuels, public transportation, carpooling, and high MPG vehicles etc. become feasible solutions to most Americans.

Yes, the more expensive gas is, the more shipping/transportation costs - but it also means locally grown and manufactured products become more affordable - and outsourcing becomes less affordable. More local jobs that actually produce something, more dollars kept in the community.

 

[Lynnie]

In the US, the price of gas had not kept up with inflation until Hurricane Katrina (some spikes in the 70's and 80's, but leveled out). In 2008, I was paying almost double (from 2005 Katrina days) as we approached $5/gal. then only due to the price of a barrel. Which, can be infuriating because there should be lag. However, the retail prices reflect global issues immediately and we all know the crude has to be refined, shipped, etc.

I bought the beach cottage in 2003 and gas was under $1.50/gal. then......am, paying 200% of that now. Double is double, but I think it's evaluated based upon the benchmark of inflation.

 

[ugabuga]

$8/gal for gas?

At 7% inflation, prices will double every 10 yrs.

If gas was $.25/gal in 1960 it will be
$.50/gal in 1970
$1/gal in 1980
$2/gal in 1990
$4/gal in 2000
$8/gal in 2010

 

[Lynnie]

Gasoline and diesel usage and pricing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an interesting article on gas prices. We are generally very low (compared to other countries) with the exception of Mexico and Venezeula, of course. And, the reason we are low is because our gov't doesn't tax the beheyzeus on gas like many, many other governments do. When our gas prices spiked a few years ago, Germany was paying $15/gal.

 

[30ashopper]

At 7% inflation, prices will double every 10 yrs.

If gas was $.25/gal in 1960 it will be
$.50/gal in 1970
$1/gal in 1980
$2/gal in 1990
$4/gal in 2000
$8/gal in 2010

God forbid we ever experience inflationary rates of 7%!