Fuel Sales in UK Plummet

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by euromodder

How many % is that in relative values ?

15 % since the same period in 2008, apparently. A 4p per litre duty rise is due in 2012 but uk.gov arranged an on-line poll of issues. If they get 100K signatures they "should" debate the issue - and fuel prices has just hit that figure. We shall see if they do debate it, and if they take any notice.

Mind you the political "elite" (phrase (c)1997 T. Blair) in the UK are kind of removed from the pressures most people face, so I doubt any major action will take place.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

...was wondering more about peak consumption than production.

That was not clear in your posting, peak oil normally refers to production.

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

...
You are so last decade compared to uk.gov We are due another duty (tax) increase next January. Its worth noting those figures - a drop of 1.7bn litres results in £1bn less in tax take. Now if the gov.us.com did that ? Hmmm....

If the current US govt did that, I must assume the conservatives/Republicans would be pleased. As with all taxes, reducing or eliminating it would be viewed as a step towards a more free economy, and a step towards job creation. From what I see and hear, every tax reduced or eliminated is good, in their view. "Starve the beast" is a Republican motto in present day politics.

Not that I believe that view for even a second.

[cfg83]

Arragonis -

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Oops - realised this is the wrong place, can anyone move it to the lounge please ? Apologies to those who stay out of the lounge.

...

By your command ...

CarloSW2

[gone-ot]

...the Cylons are back?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Perhaps the old method of collecting road related taxes needs to be revamped for modern times?

If I'm not mistaken, though, the UK and most of Europe collect far more in fuel taxes than is used to maintain the roads. The rest goes to general revenue - which is why prices are significantly higher than in the US.

PS: Where the price, at least around here, has dropped about$0.15/gal in the last few weeks. Had to put some in the pickup tonight, and it was $3.46, down from I think $3.59 or so last time I looked.

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

If I'm not mistaken, though, the UK and most of Europe collect far more in fuel taxes than is used to maintain the roads. The rest goes to general revenue - which is why prices are significantly higher than in the US.

PS: Where the price, at least around here, has dropped about$0.15/gal in the last few weeks. Had to put some in the pickup tonight, and it was $3.46, down from I think $3.59 or so last time I looked.

You wouldn't think that here in Ireland!! Some of the roads are awful! The bigger ones tend to be tolled because the cost to build them was so big they got a private company to build them, then tolled them! wonderful.

Here's a pdf showing how our fuel demand is falling off:http://omrpublic.iea.org/demand/ir_dl_ov.pdf
http://omrpublic.iea.org/demand/ir_gs_ov.pdf

My take on it is that in addition to people driving more fuel efficient cars, there are less on the roads due to massive lay offs. Less trucks on the roads because people are buying less.

Now those left in jobs will have to pay the balance. Somebody has to i suppose.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

If I'm not mistaken, though, the UK and most of Europe collect far more in fuel taxes than is used to maintain the roads. The rest goes to general revenue - which is why prices are significantly higher than in the US.

PS: Where the price, at least around here, has dropped about$0.15/gal in the last few weeks. Had to put some in the pickup tonight, and it was $3.46, down from I think $3.59 or so last time I looked.

Current price is 1.31GBP a litre. Which is between 8-9 USD a US gallon. To fill a standard car will cost 55-65 GBP, which is about 100USD.

[Vekke]

In finland goverment will also increase the fuel taxes. I think biggest issue is that cars are now more efficient so people wont buy/need so much fuel to their regular driving.

Average fuel costs in finland is
regular petrol 7.85701963 US$ / gal
diesel 6.81786542 US$ / gal
This is still too cheap for finnish drivers. People use their own cars because still its the cheapest way and in most cases the only other option would be taxi.

about 60% is tax at the moment and that should go to taken care of the roads. At least that is what they rise it for. Most will go to some other issues and roads just get worse every year...

Goverment also try to get more people use public transportation, but the costs are way too expensive for the average traveller. 430 km on 267 miles in train cost 58€ or 77 us$ and it takes 4 hours. You can fly 1200 km to europe cheaper than travel 430 km on rails. On regular car the costs are same if your car consumes 8.7 l/100km 27 MPG of petrol or 10 liters 23 MPG of diesel. About half of petrol cars can do that easily and almost all diesel cars. Driving time is the same in summer and to car you can fit more passengers if needed and the price wont double. Also if you use public transportation you have to use something first to get to the train station and at the final destination. Usually that taxi or then your trip time can easily double.

So there is no sense to go in a public transportation if you already have a car. Only time I use it if I am going to some bar so I cannot drive back to home etc.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by vtec-e

You wouldn't think that here in Ireland!! Some of the roads are awful!

I wouldn't say that. Some of the ones I rode on (I was biking, not driving, though) were kinda fun, like the one up Slieve League. Nothing like a 2000 foot drop with no guardrails to keep your attention in the here-and-now :-)

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

I wouldn't say that. Some of the ones I rode on (I was biking, not driving, though) were kinda fun, like the one up Slieve League. Nothing like a 2000 foot drop with no guardrails to keep your attention in the here-and-now :-)

Some good roads up there in fairness.