The rise in gas prices

[moniss]

and the problems posed to strategic defense of the economies of nations due to over reliance on fossil fuels could have been alleviated. If previous leaders over the last few decades had been far more aggressive in moving to renewables for power generation, adoption of electric vehicles/installation of infrastructure for charging, moving mass transit projects to a high priority etc. we could have been in a much better position in this current horror show.

Instead we saw intransigence all across the country at all levels with many states aggressively moving against renewables. They wrote laws and regulations specifically making adoption of solar and wind projects so difficult to adopt for localities, businesses and homeowners that they became too onerous from the standpoint of hassle and financial impact. Much of this was done due to lobbying/campaign cash and lies spread by the fossil fuel industry and the producing countries of fossil fuels.

Will we finally break the grip of these people on the progress of alternative energy? President Biden's plans that were approved do improve the scenario but we need to be even more aggressive. Will the GQP finally come around and help make progress happen? That's a long shot and we now find ourselves pondering what could have been.

Don't look for the media to bring a bright shining light to this issue either. It is way too easy for them to go to gas stations and show pump prices and talk to angry vehicle owners about prices. Notice how they don't query those owners about their high consumption pickup truck that has the lowest mpg? Too much depth for most and it interferes with the presentation of simplistic narratives. Besides they don't want to upset the guy/gal sitting in their easy chair by making them think. After all the "reality" TV show will be coming on where people find $100,000 necklaces in storage lockers. No need to disturb the wool from their eyes.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Why I drive a fuel efficient car.

A Honda Fit. I have ZERO sympathy for those who drive some kind of stupid gas-guzzling monster. It's not as though gas prices have always been extremely low and only recently got higher. Gas has long been somewhat expensive. Over the years I've been astonished at times when I'd read things like: Now that gas is a bit less expensive, people are buying gas guzzlers. Really? Why? I have always owned economical cars. My first two were VW Beetles. The first was a 1959 convertible. It didn't have a standard gas gauge, but did have the reserve tank thing. If I ran the tank to "empty" I could shift a plug to allow the tank to keep on going. It was important to then shift that reserve tank back once I refueled the tank. Once, and only once because of this weird system, I actually ran out of gas. After that, I got very good at keeping track of my mileage.

I have always driven economical, fuel efficient cars. If I live long enough to buy another car (and I'm currently 73 years old, and bought my Fit three years ago) it will probably be a hybrid. Not a full on electric car, because they are horrifyingly expensive. In reality, I hope that around the time I ready to stop driving, I will be relocating to a city with excellent public transportation, or perhaps into an independent/assisted living place, where I won't have to drive at all. Otherwise, my long suffering son will be taking care of me.

[JCMach1]

3. I paid 8k for my used 2011 Chevy Volt, which is still on the road, in 2016

And shows no sign of battery degredation at all.

Use just a tiny bit of gas here and there on longer trips once in awhile.

Find the right car, electrics are very reasonable.

I burn roughly $20 per month in electricity for all my usage per month

[moniss]

6. I had a 2012

Volt and I loved it with the exception of being cramped a little. That's more a reflection on my consumption of Ben and Jerry's than it is Chevrolet. I leased it new and did so because of a good lease deal and I wanted to support the market for alternative vehicles. The residual on the lease was too high for me to keep it at the end. One of the challenges for mass adoption is going to be people living in apartment buildings that have parking lots etc. If the landlords have to put in lots of charging outlets in the parking lot I can bet they'll be jacking the rents which are already too high for so many people. It could be overcome with a grant program to help defray the cost but I don't see the GQP going for anything and especially as long as "Benedict" Manchin has any sway.

[JCMach1]

9. Yeah that's the big limit-charger infrastructure

... I wouldn't own it if I lived in an apartment. Volt is great for many reasons, but I also just charge at 110v overnight. I have never used Level 2 except rarely at free public chargers

[moniss]

4. The states also made increases

to the speed limits over the last 15 years or so and further increased consumption.

[Dial H For Hero]

5. Thank goodness they did. I recently drove from Denver to Vegas and back.

At a steady 80 to 85 mph, it took around 11 hours each way with lunch and rest stops. Had the speed limit been 55, it would have been more like 16 hours.

[moniss]

7. I drive professionally

and I know it can get boring. It was a shame though to fight so hard for years to get CAFE improvements and then mostly give up the mpg gains by raising the speed limits. But I do understand about travel time.

[Dial H For Hero]

8. I drive "stupid gas guzzling monsters" because one is them is a 4WD with lots of cargo capacity

I live in Colorado, and it’s been invaluable the last year due to a move and the subsequent hauling of stuff.

As for the other car, Porsche convertibles are just fun.

Then again, I have been retired for the last three years. If someone has a long commute and has chosen a vehicle that only gets 20 miles per gallon on the highway, that’s on them.

[JCMach1]

10. eHummers, Trucks and sports cars are here... Just not many on

Used market yet...

Coming soon

[Sherman A1]

2. I wish we had listened to Jimmy Carter, but we didn't

I have generally driven fuel efficient vehicles myself and was also mystified when the gas guzzlers returned and hopefully this will speed up the end of such vehicles on our roads.

My concerns are the mostly in the ripple effects as the costs of fuel pass through the economy. The price of everything will be increased as any merchandise or any good travels on the back of a truck before arriving at it’s destination. This will affect those in the lower economic strata much more severely and much more quickly, again hurting the people who can least afford it.

[JCMach1]

11. I had the sticker shock of furniture shopping as I am moving

My elderly parents to Texas.

If you haven't shopped for furniture recently, just be prepared for sticker shock.

It's horrific.

[Sherman A1]

12. Yup, It is going to get very ugly between legitimate price increases and corporate gouging

The Mrs. picked up a half pound of corned beef for sandwiches today at the Deli and it was $13.99/lb with the Boar's Head brand $15.99/lb.

Looks like we will be staying close to home this year at vacation time.

[JCMach1]

13. No doubt. Absolutely no bargains right as prices are hiked for tax return

Season...