Petrol (gas) prices in the US

[a tw player]

Hey all, this may or may not be the right place to post this, so feel free to move it as you see fit. My first post in the mudpit so not quite sure about what sort of stuff should be in here, but this seems to be political related so here we go

I've just been seeing and reading in the news about protests in the US over the rising price of fuel, reaching over $4 per gallon across many parts of the country.

Fuel has reached $4 a gallon in parts of the country - around 70 pence per litre - and is edging close to the record high.

- Full article

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/President-Barack-Obama-Under-Fire-For-Soaring-Petrol-Prices-USA-Motorists-Demand-Action/Article/201104415978039?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15978039_President_Barack_Obama_Under_Fire_For_Soaring_Petrol_Prices_USA%3A_Motorists_Demand_Action

My question is though, why is this an issue at all? Where I live in the UK, as with many parts, petrol prices are at about the £1.35 mark at the lowest, with it being higher in other areas. Diesel is at £1.45 where I am and I'm sure that it will break the £1.50 barrier very soon. So, prices in the US are about half the price but people are giving Obama flak over this?

A side question if you like, are such feelings widespread or simply in the minority, with the media making a big deal of the issue?

I'm just curious, so please enlighten me

[HissingNewt]

Because we usually have lower gas prices than Europe. We also have worse public transportation, so we consume a lot more gas than your average European would have to. Really, those are the only reasons we complain about our gas prices. I'd say it's a widespread feeling that they're too high. I'd also have to guess that the reason Obama gets flak for it is because modern perceptions of the presidency have it as an office that the holder can use to fix most of the problems of America. Obama helped continue that during his campaign by promising to fix things he truly doesn't have authority to fix.

[(s)AINT]

Pretty much that^. The USA is way bigger and we have way more cars because of that. The reason we about it so much is because we have to drive (most of us) to our jobs every day..

Different culture, different circumstances and different people.

[k995]

Pretty much that^. The USA is way bigger and we have way more cars because of that. The reason we about it so much is because we have to drive (most of us) to our jobs every day..

Different culture, different circumstances and different people.

And you think europeans all work at home? The vast mayority also takes the car.



The simple reason is in europe people have been concerned about prices for decades and cars consume less.

I d about 100km a day, but my car uses about 5l for that. I could have just as easily bought something that used up 10 or 12l/100km but that doesnt drive better and is harder to park so why bother?

[Imperial]

Hey all, this may or may not be the right place to post this, so feel free to move it as you see fit. My first post in the mudpit so not quite sure about what sort of stuff should be in here, but this seems to be political related so here we go

I've just been seeing and reading in the news about protests in the US over the rising price of fuel, reaching over $4 per gallon across many parts of the country.

- Full article

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/President-Barack-Obama-Under-Fire-For-Soaring-Petrol-Prices-USA-Motorists-Demand-Action/Article/201104415978039?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15978039_President_Barack_Obama_Under_Fire_For_Soaring_Petrol_Prices_USA%3A_Motorists_Demand_Action

My question is though, why is this an issue at all? Where I live in the UK, as with many parts, petrol prices are at about the £1.35 mark at the lowest, with it being higher in other areas. Diesel is at £1.45 where I am and I'm sure that it will break the £1.50 barrier very soon. So, prices in the US are about half the price but people are giving Obama flak over this?

A side question if you like, are such feelings widespread or simply in the minority, with the media making a big deal of the issue?

I'm just curious, so please enlighten me

You need a car to make a living in the US (other then big cities). In Europe, you don't technically need a car the majority of time because of better public transportation.

/thread.

[Valiant Champion]

distances in Europe for the average joe are rather short compared to the US. In the US going to another country would mean going a very long way on average. While a person in France would only have to travel a few hundred miles to visit any other country in Western Europe.

I dont really care about the prices. If you have to pay it, you have to pay and the only thing you can do is cut down on usage and hope everyone else is cutting down to so that demand goes down and supply goes back up.

[MathiasOfAthens]

distances in Europe for the average joe are rather short compared to the US. In the US going to another country would mean going a very long way on average. While a person in France would only have to travel a few hundred miles to visit any other country in Western Europe.

I dont really care about the prices. If you have to pay it, you have to pay and the only thing you can do is cut down on usage and hope everyone else is cutting down to so that demand goes down and supply goes back up.

You never been to europe have you? It cost a lot to drive from here to there.

[xcorps]

The average car owner in America drives about 15,000 miles a year. The average vehicle (based on all light cars and trucks) gets 19.8 miles per gallon.

Roughly, the average American must buy 750 gallons of gasoline a year. At 4.50 a gallon, this is 3375 dollars a year. At 2.00 a gallon it's only 1500 a year. Double that for the average family. 2006 Census puts the average median income at just over 50,000 a year. So the average 2 car, 2 job household loses 562 dollars a month of their 4100 income, or roughly a quarter. That's a big chunk, especially because most households live check to check. Throw in the increase in prices of all goods across the board because of the increased transportation costs (the vast majority of goods are delivered by diesel trucks, and the increased fuel prices get passed on to the consumer), and you can have some pretty serious issues.

[Valiant Champion]

Did anyone consider the amount of fuel shipping across the ocean costs?

[xcorps]

Did anyone consider the amount of fuel shipping across the ocean costs?

That's pretty stagnant, except for the variation of the cost of fuel. Shipping costs for bulk carriers run you about $.04 at the pump for Middle East oil.

I guess this is the downside of having such cheap fuel (via low taxes).

Fifty cents a gallon isn't cheap. High taxes on fuel won't make a plugged nickels difference in US vehicle engineering.

[motiv-8]

Fifty cents a gallon isn't cheap. High taxes on fuel won't make a plugged nickels difference in US vehicle engineering.

Nope. EPA standards, on the other hand, do and will, combined with the effects of marketplace competition.

[flonky]

The average vehicle (based on all light cars and trucks) gets 19.8 miles per gallon.

Well there's your problem. European cars (which are on average much smaller and thus more fuel efficient) get twice that, or even more. The US just needs to be weaned off its addiction to SUVs.

[motiv-8]

Well there's your problem. European cars (which are on average much smaller and thus more fuel efficient) get twice that, or even more. The US just needs to be weaned off its addiction to SUVs.

It is, slowly...

[Necromancer]

Well there's your problem. European cars (which are on average much smaller and thus more fuel efficient) get twice that, or even more. The US just needs to be weaned off its addiction to SUVs.

When you live in an area that can get over 3 feet of snow every winter, you tend to have an appreciation for SUVs.

I agree that a lot of people don't really need them, but there is a reason why a lot of people have them. Most people want an all around vehicle that's dependable, handles well in the winter, can carry around 5 people etc. and most times an SUV fits the bill.

[flonky]

When you live in an area that can get over 3 feet of snow every winter, you tend to have an appreciation for SUVs.

I agree that a lot of people don't really need them, but there is a reason why a lot of people have them. Most people want an all around vehicle that's dependable, handles well in the winter, can carry around 5 people etc. and most times an SUV fits the bill.

Fair point, however in the US aren't the roads cleared of snow really rather well?

[Necromancer]

Fair point, however in the US aren't the roads cleared of snow really rather well?

Like Justy said, it depends on where you live. Generally, if you live in an urban area, you're going to be first on the list and the roads you use throughout your daily routine will be cleared. However, if you live in a rural area, like me, you can wait up until the next day to have your roads cleared. Not only is there a very large, spread out area to take care of, but the sheer amount of snow on the ground adds to the wait, as well. So, if you need to get somewhere (work, food shopping etc.), you're going to have to take matters into your own hands, and a Toyota Camry isn't going to cut it. In the northeast U.S., it's pretty much an investment to have at least one vehicle with 4WD per household. They can carry as many people as a car and they have the power of a small pick-up.

[xcorps]

Fair point, however in the US aren't the roads cleared of snow really rather well?

It depends on where in the US and what you mean by rather well. Rural areas and small towns don't have the money to spend clearing county roads, and counties tend to concentrate on highways. 3" of snow where I live could shut elementary school down for a day or two because buses can't run the rural routes.

[MathiasOfAthens]

It depends on where in the US and what you mean by rather well. Rural areas and small towns don't have the money to spend clearing county roads, and counties tend to concentrate on highways. 3" of snow where I live could shut elementary school down for a day or two because buses can't run the rural routes.

This is because of Suburbs... more land, more roads. Wider Roads and even more suburban pod roads, side roads, etc. These cities just cant afford to clean all the streets that cars have to drive down.

Not rural routes - suburban housing lots.

Europeans with cars are more likely to drive to work but walk to their local grocery store because everything is so close.

[flonky]

I guess this is the downside of having such cheap fuel (via low taxes). Car manufacturers aren't incentivised to make efficient vehicles and there isn't decent public transport infrastructure due to a lack of demand.

[MathiasOfAthens]

I guess this is the downside of having such cheap fuel (via low taxes). Car manufacturers aren't incentivised to make efficient vehicles and there isn't decent public transport infrastructure due to a lack of demand.