Decline in U.S. summer gas use expected for first time in 17 years

[SVOboy]

From ABG!

What do high gas prices and a sluggish economy mean for summer gas use in the U.S.? Down, down, down. Well, at least one down.

For the first time in almost two decades, the federal Energy Information Administration is predicting that summer gas demand will decrease. Specifically, the EIA says it'll be down by 0.4 percent in 2008 compared to 2007. That's not much in terms of percentage points, but it does mean that America will (likely) use 36,000 fewer barrels of oil each day. Reuters reports that expected average gas prices will be $3.54 a gallon from April until September (that's 61 cents more than last year). Do a little math and we see that a gasoline price increase of about a fifth leads to just a 0.4 percent drop in use. We may drive somewhat less this summer, but we're still quite willing (or required) to use a lot of pricey fuel.

[superchow]

... assuming that with a linear increase in gas prices we will have linear decrease in fuel prices.

Also, doesn't this also mean that on average people are driving only 40 miles less, assuming a very generous amount of 10,000 miles, in a summer?

[Arminius]

And people are slowing down.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=757089

[homeworkhome53]

Yes, many are slowing down. When I started this in February everyone passed me, now many come up behind me and just hang there like they are reluctant to give it the gas to pass me.


homeworkhome53

[dsq]

ive noticed slower driving here on the la freeways as well.Also i see people drafting a lot.Trucks are doing 55mph.I see a sharp sell off in fuel prices as demand destruction hits the commodity markets.

[louisb323]

Ya, since about a month ago I've noticed people are going slower and the freeways seem less crowded during my commute. I used to have to use Fastrak (toll road) practically everyday to make it home at a descent hour. Now, I rarely if ever use it because traffic is so light it would only save me 5-10 minutes now whereas it used to save me 30-45 minutes.

[cfg83]

Hello -

They just mentioned on the radio that in LA, traffic is down about 1% because of the gas prices, so congestion is definitely down.

CarloSW2

[igo]

I was able to talk a co-worker into going the speed limit on his trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.

[adam728]

I notice a lot of people driving slower on the freeways now. The speed limit here is 75 mph, and if I traveled that pace a year ago I might pass 2-3 cars between Tucson and Phoenix. Now I can cruise 70 mph and pass dozens of people. Granted there are still guy in lifted pickups going 90+ from time to time, but overall I would say many people have slowed down considerably.

[dsq]

driving was down 4.5% in march across the country..the biggest decline since 1979...I read in LA times that traffic was down 6% but it looks a lot more than that in the city streets.