Crude Oil... now isn't this getting just a little crazy?

[truzoom]

Hybrid cars that run on non-oil fuel sound great, but what are the chances of such a wonderful thing being given to the public? Maybe it's just paranoia, but who's to say that big oil isn't trying to push into the development of hybrid vehicles so they don't lose money? Maybe the oil companies themselves will begin producing hybrid vehicles at affordable prices as to drive out the competition that may have something more efficient. As of tonight, 87 octane in my area is $2.50/gal, and unlike the summer up until now I can't wait it out for the prices to fall.

[Blr123]

Originally posted by Aurora40
Man, if they'd only do that in the States! Then we'd all be driving 1,000hp hybrid-diesel fuel cell mobile homes that get 5,000 miles per gallon, and cost $4 after tax credits!

Hi Aurora,

That would mean you would be paying $8 per gallon

Bryan

[Aurora40]

Originally posted by g15389
Aurora40,

While you may not agree with what some people have posted on this thread, I think you are being a little overly negative.

I think the point to this thread is that as the prices continue to rise, people have to start budgeting for the increase.

Well, if you notice, the things I responded to were not these things.

Sure, gas costs more. So you have to spend more to use the same amount of it. This is true of anything, from Tide to spring water. If it gets bad enough, you'll look for alternatives. If you aren't looking for alternatives already, then it can't really be that bad, can it...

The idea that The Man is holding back vehicle development, is conspiring to make you drive antiquated wasteful vehicles, is just ridiculous. As is the idea that if the government just waves their hand, the situation will be magically cured.

If you want a vehicle with better economy, buy one. They are out there. If enough people actually care, they will do the same. If they don't care, and want to drive their Excursion by themselves to work every day, then clearly the problem is not as bad as you make it out to be.

I assure you, I'm about conservation, and not just of gasoline. But I'm not about forcing people to do things or about acting paranoid for no reason.

Originally posted by Blr123
Hi Aurora,

That would mean you would be paying $8 per gallon

Bryan

Hi Bryan, I was just being sarcastic. Europe and the UK artificially inflate the cost of gasoline via taxes. How has this affected vehicle development there? Are you all driving in faster, roomier, more powerful cars that magically get better economy, while those of us across the pond wallow around in vehicles with 20 year old technology? Or do most people just drive really small cars with really small engines because the goverment makes it too expensive to do otherwise?

[Aurora40]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
Interesting article I found here...

Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up To 250 Mpg

If you notice, this is not a sustainable 250mpg. This car needs to be plugged into the wall to gain electricity it cannot manufacture. Is that electricity created by gasoline? Coal? Nuclear power? Where's it coming from, and what's it doing to our "energy independence"?

This is why hybrids also do well on EPA tests, as they start out with a fully charged battery, but do not end the test that way. I.e. you could commute to work with that economy, but the ride home wouldn't be nearly so efficient.

So this is just a fake-out. It's like pushing a car to the top of a hill, and coasting it down with the gasoline engine hardly working, and saying "Look, this car can get 150mpg with existing technology". All you have to do is push it up the hill first each time. In the same way, you have to plug that car into the wall first each time...

[Blr123]

Originally posted by Aurora40
Hi Bryan, I was just being sarcastic. Europe and the UK artificially inflate the cost of gasoline via taxes. How has this affected vehicle development there? Are you all driving in faster, roomier, more powerful cars that magically get better economy, while those of us across the pond wallow around in vehicles with 20 year old technology? Or do most people just drive really small cars with really small engines because the goverment makes it too expensive to do otherwise?

Nice one

As for people driving more powerful cars it's basically a case of drive them and be damned although my car even though it's 3.0V6 is giving a good 25mpg with mixed driving which is good.

Bryan

[Prestigious]

I have a Mustang for a DD.. and a Jeep Cherokee for my business..
Prices here are as follows: Reg. $2.35 Mid. $2.55 Prem. $2.75 as of this morning..

People need their vehicles and the gov. knows this. I don't ever see the price dropping below $2.00 again.