The predicted record usage this year is NOT a step in the right direction.
This WILL cause the price to increase, possibly dramatically, this year.
That WILL help the causes of more fuel-efficient/replacement options, and eventually people will shrink their gas appetites, as it hurts their pocketbooks more and more, and as more good alternatives hit the market.

I hope.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

Here in upstate NY
Mobil...
Reg $2.87 Mid: $2.97 Prem: $3.11

Most others
Reg $2.71 Mid: $2.81 Prem: $2.95

Makes you wonder how there can be such a price difference in the same area between the brands.... oops forgot that Mobil has had record profits for how long now.

Hold on for summer.... Will we see the $4.00+ as some folks are predicting?

2005 Prius - White, Gray Interior, Option Package 6, Mud Flaps & Auto Door locks from Coastal


2006 Highlander Hybrid - Limited, White, Tan Interior, Nav, 4WD, Trailer Hitch

NOTE: On both the Prius and HH batteries are included with your purchase !

Steve: We hope so, too.

Bob259- I don't know if we'll see $4 gas, but I'd be shocked if it doesn't go back above $3 again around here. Right now we're sitting right around $2.69, and places like CA are well above $3, so I think $3 and probably even $3.50 is inevitable this summer.

Yeah I expect $3/gal in most places for the summer - $4/gal or $5/gal seem unlikely, unless another hurricane hits the Gulf. As to how likely THAT is... that's very hard to predict. Global Warming is in full swing and leads to more harsh weather (like hurricanes), but hurricane season has been very unpredictable lately... we might get nothing, or we might get the worst year we've ever seen.

If troubles with Hugo Chaves in Venezuela escalate, or the political problems in Mexico lead to damages to oil there (most of our oil comes from Mexico and Canada), then that would also lead to $4/$5 prices. But barring those, I bet $3/gal.

Bob's earlier posted article noticed that demand for gasoline is falling at an unusual time of year out here on the West Coast where $3/gal is a steal ($3.15 is typical). Perhaps $3/gal is the tipping point that makes people move to other options - taking the bus and train, selling the oil-burning '87 for a hybrid, etc. I've certainly seen a lot more Priuses and Civic Hybrids on the road lately, and I've spotted about 4 Insights in 6 months.

Prius 2006, bought September 14:

Makes me wonder if we all will continue to see all the Hybrids just sitting on the dealers lots as they are now if gas continues to go up?

Then it will be interesting to see how members can purchase Hybrids at below MSRP right now with very low interest loans. What will happen to these prices as gas continues to rise?

I think I can figure this out.

Terry (tiger)

Nashville, TN. Gas $ 2.52, 87 Octane

tigerhonaker
2007 HAH
__________________
Click on Pictures to Enlarge:

I've been tracking prices with my "tanks" for Sant Cruz, CA Costco fuel costs, regular:

Nov 11: 2.39
Dec 14: 2.43
Jan 11: 2.54
Feb 15: 2.80
Mar 9: 2.96
Mar 28: 3.13

That's a pretty fast rise. I won't draw any conclusions, though.

I'm just glad I'm not at 18mpg anymore.

And going up...

Just filled up at $3.25/gal in Woodland Hills, and that's the cheapest price I could find in town. What used to be consistently the cheapest was $3.31.

Prius 2006, bought September 14:

$3.33 for 87 Octane in Marina del Rey Ca. Saw as high as $3.45 here in Malibu.

Last thursday $2.49 in Boulder.

Drove to Vegas and back.

Friday in Beaver Utah $2.79

Today in Vegas $2.84

Today western Colorado $2.79

Today back in Boulder $2.44

In Vegas either the drinks were $9 or free, depending.

Apparently this:


If prices continue doing what they're doing in Los Angeles, my next tank will cost an incredible $3.40/gal. With a Prius I'm wishing I had a plug-in, but I can't imagine what people in trucks must be thinking now... I saw 4 Silverados the other day in front of me that must each cost $150-200 now to fill up PER VISIT to the gas station.

Prius 2006, bought September 14: