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Gasoline is a commodity so the actual product itself is just about the same all over the world. The problem is that you are getting slammed with VAT and additional taxes way above and beyond what is paid in the U.S. The U.S. does tax gas but the government also knows that sitting a bit above $3 a gallon is not great but not devastating to most people. When and if it gets to the $4-$5 range....that is about the breaking point. I don't think the average U.S. consumer will be looking at hybrids but will instead seek to remove leaders from office and demand more domestic production. With that said, the U.S. probably pays more for cigarettes and alcohol than most countries. Thankfully, I don't smoke but when I see cigarettes selling for $5-$6 a pack, that looks absolutely crazy (especially since I do know quite a few people who smoke 1 or 2 packs a day).
"The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
~Vaclav Hlavaty
I thought gas was cheap in the US 'cos it was subsudized by the government.
Don C.
I think you are confusing gas with school lunches The U.S. has a large stockpile of gas that is supposed to be set aside for a huge crisis like a war. I think they have released some of that stockpile to keep gas prices down for a while but I don't think the gov't subsidizes it; they just don't add as much tax to it as in other countries.
Something interesting I saw on tv the other day. The U.S. actually produces 40% of its own consumption, has the ability to push it up to 50% with little effort, and if we really wanted to could produce 100% of our own needs if necessary (although that would require time and major investment).
"The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
~Vaclav Hlavaty
$3.25 here today. My 4Runner is sitting at about 1/4 tank right now, so I'm gearing up to shell out $50 in the next couple of days. Good thing my commute is under 2 miles each way!
Apparently, there are huge pockets of oil all over the U.S. off of every coast. Add that to the Gulf, apparently there is a huge untapped find somewhere in the Southwest, ANWAR, all untouched. That's why there has been a lot of debate about energy independence. Tap into what we can get out now for the short term but make a decision on the future before it's too late. Apparently, nuclear power is what is apparently being touted as the best source of energy and I think the technology already exists to make vehicles that run on them but none of the car makers are willing to throw in the investment necessary until the standard is set.
"The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
~Vaclav Hlavaty
Petrol just hit $10 a gallon here for the first time today.
I'm going to live on the moon.
That is just insane! We would have some major revolts here when and if it hits $5 a gallon. If it gets there; I'm going to be setting up carpools with co-workers who live near me.
"The farther we go, the more the ultimate explanation recedes from us, and all we have left is faith."
~Vaclav Hlavaty
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