oil / gasoline price watch

[Magician]

The American consumer is in a good position with lower oil prices. If they go up, then we will pump more. It's a win-win situation with modern oil extraction and costs. Meanwhile, CAFE standards require the automakers to keep making them more efficiently, which we are seeing great improvements. Now we need to teach the public how to drive efficiently and that it's hip... and to plan ahead before commuting.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Magician

Meanwhile, CAFE standards require the automakers to keep making them more efficiently, which we are seeing great improvements.

The current administration takes a dim view of those CAFE standards. Time will tell how well they survive.

[Magician]

Why do you expect our government to fix everything?we as citizens should make good decisions on what we drive and planning daily commutes etc...

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Magician

Why do you expect our government to fix everything?

I don't expect government will fix *anything*. Since you asked. Can we get back on topic now?

[MetroMPG]

Can we get back on topic now?

^ Yes, please.

Let's keep political talk to a minimum.

[redpoint5]

Many government regulations end up causing more problems than they solve.

I was in the market for a small diesel pickup about 10 years ago, but they weren't allowed in the US. My only option was a full-sized pickup, so I bought the smallest one I could; a Dodge 2500 5.9L Ram Cummins. This thing has an empty weight of something like 7200 lbs, and has terrible aerodynamics.

So, small diesel pickups weren't allowed because, reasons, but enormous ones were allowed?

CAFE suffers a similar problem where larger vehicles are allowed worse fuel economy. Simply build a large enough vehicle, and it becomes much easier to achieve the regulated MPG.

Many HOV laws allow the most fuel efficient vehicles to single-occupy those lanes. The vehicles most efficient at idling and stop-and-go driving are allowed a less congested lane, meanwhile we have truckers, Hummers, and Suburbans working the throttle and brakes hard while battling gridlock traffic. I guarantee you that mother nature is rolling her eyes, and some lobbyist is grinning while happily making political "contributions".

Micro-managing fuel efficiency is neither efficient nor effective. If you want to reduce the consumption of something, you need to make it cost more (tax). The details of how fuel efficiency will improve will then be driven by market forces, which are way more efficient than the delusion that some group of geniuses can conjure up efficiency standards based on no scientific reasoning.

[freebeard]

I don't expect government will fix *anything*. Since you asked.

Yours is the more expansive statement; Magician was on-topic.

Let's keep political talk to a minimum.

It's the Children of Abraham against the world. ..else the Pre-Adamites in Antarctica. Concise enough?

[wdb]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Micro-managing fuel efficiency is neither efficient nor effective. If you want to reduce the consumption of something, you need to make it cost more (tax).

I remember reading about people with big pickups and SUVs having sticker shock when the bill for filling up went to 3 digits. That's probably what it will take again to change buying habits.

In the meantime I honestly do believe that some government regulations have made a difference. I think without them we'd still see cars coming out of Detroit with carburetors.

[Magician]

Not necessarily. Most who drive the guzzlers can easily pay for the Vehicle and even when gas prices were double most still paid it. Education and making it hip to drive fuel efficient cars may have a greater effect. All 5 of my kids (3 boys and 2 girls)drive vehicles that are manual 5 speed compacts. I taught them well. And for the government, they are a joke when it comes to managing money. Why would you provide them more? Sounds foolish.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Many government regulations end up causing more problems than they solve

So, small diesel pickups weren't allowed because, reasons, but enormous ones were .

Good reason to get the grey market laws abolished