$5 dollar a gallon predicted by 2012

[MorphDaCivic]

Here's a prediction by an ex Big Oil executive that we will see 5 bucks a gallon soon.

$5 for a gallon of gasoline in 2012 - Dec. 27, 2010

[cfg83]

MorphDaCivic -

Good catch. I heard that on the radio today. I predict an increase in the rate of Ecomodder membership this summer (pretty easy prediction).

CarloSW2

[brucey]

I also predict guys will get on here and brag about their supercharged pick up getting 12 mpg and they're glad for it.

[MetroMPG]

Better place that order to upgrade the server... :P

Unfortunately, I can see the logic in the argument that oil at that cost will derail the economy. Thus reducing the price of oil again. Boom & bust.

[Ryland]

When gas prices were at $4 per gallon the IRS raised the estamated cost per mile to drive tax write off figure from around $.45 per mile to $.52 per mile, last time I checked it was down to $.50 per mile, now the IRS doesn't like to give people a chance to keep their money unless it's well founded and when I've added up my cost to drive a civic vx that cost me $1,200 while doing all of the repairs my self it still came out to around $.26 per mile to drive my car and out of that $.06 per mile is fuel.
People will whine and cry about how they can't afford gas and I realize that everyone on this form is trying to save as much fuel as possible but when you look at all the numbers you realize that most people can't afford to drive as much as they do no matter what the fuel price is.

[jjackstone]

It could be a good thing for the new electric car market that has finally begun to show life. The last couple of times that electric cars began to take off(think 1970's and 90's), the gas prices stayed high only for a relatively short period of time and then prices experienced a fairly rapid decrease essentially killing the electric and alternative vehicle market. This time is a little different. There are actually major car manufacturers selling electric vehicles and the gasoline prices are projected to increase again. High gas prices make that extra $10-15,000 you shell out for a pure electric or a Volt-like vehicle seem a bit more reasonable.
And of course there would have to be a huge new market for aero kits.
JJ

[Frank Lee]

A study from the Oil Price Information Service estimates drivers will spend $305 on gasoline in December.

100 gal/mo

[NeilBlanchard]

Europeans are paying a lot more for gasoline than we are here in North America, and they are in no worse shape. Oil producers are inevitably lose production, and the remaining reserves are going to cost more to access, by definition -- otherwise they would have been pumped by now. The easy and higher quality stuff is mostly gone... Tar sands here we come?

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

100 gal/mo

The big white brick is part of a fleet of around 100 vans.
I used over $800 in the month of May.

Let's see:
40K mi per yr / 14 MPG / 12 months is right at 240 gal a month.

@$4 thats $960
@$5 thats $1200

X100 vans = $120,000 per month or $1,4400,000

Now that's

Mind you, not everybody can squeek 14MPG out of these things. Lately the cold has me in the high 12s.

Unfortunately boxes of parts and ladders don't fit in Civics. Sorry Brucey, but it takes alot of effort to get those 17MPG tanks I had last summer. That 54 gal per month I didn't burn is probably more than most here use for the same period.

I really wish the Mercedes Sprinters would catch on here in the USA.

[MorphDaCivic]

The company I work for is switching over to Ford Escape Hybrids and the Ford Transit Connect. They plan to be carbon neutral as a company in 5 years:

2011 Ford Transit Connect Side-by-Side Comparison
Starting MSRP $21,200 – $23,200 Change Vehicle

Snapshot
EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 21 Highway: 26
Available Engines:
136-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 (regular gas)

Available Transmissions: 4-speed automatic w/OD

2011 Ford Transit Connect Summary