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Fuel Prices

I noticed that petrol (gas for them - still don't understand why they think they can call a liquid gas, but hey, that's the US for you) prices in the US have pushed through $4.00 a gallon and everyone is going bananas (bah-nairn-aas for them - sorry, couldn't help it, last US reference). SUV sales are plummeting and people can't afford to get into work.

So what about here? Even with the exchange rate, this is only about AUD$1.10 a litre, which is far lower than the average $1.50 a litre they're currently paying in Sydney (see Motormouth for fuel prices). Sure, we're not all driving SUVs, but if the Americans are going beserk over this, where's the backlash from us Aussies? Or are we all too passive to complain? Or too enamoured with our fuel guzzlers to drive less/switch to hybrid/catch public transport?
JFK

Tags: Petrol, fuel, oil

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Manish Dev on June 5, 2008 at 9:47am

All of the above JFK!!

But you're right, that's a huge discrepancy between US and Aust prices. With our dollar almost worth the same as theirs, it truly highlights how much fat the Government is taking.

But that's not necessarily a bad thing. People use their cars more than they need to, and it's bad for their health and the health of the entire planet. I'm celebrating these high petrol prices and hope they keep rocketing up. Get on your bike, I say.

Manish

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Reader on June 5, 2008 at 1:51pm

I think you're right Manish - it would be a good thing if people were to drive less, but realistically I don't think this is going to happen in a hurry. People are addicted to their cars, and in a country as large as ours people tend to drive a lot. It's not like flying is the answer, because you end up using more fuel (I don't know this for sure - anyone?).

Matt

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Permalink Reply by purplewombat on June 12, 2008 at 1:51pm

That's great for you city folk. I can't see me cycling the 40km to and from work each day on our unsafe rural roads, and just where do I put the groceries? I would be most interested in an electric vehicle when they are available at a price that suits the less affluent.

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Permalink Reply by JeffK on June 12, 2008 at 1:55pm

Actually Toyota is really ramping up its hybrid car production - with oil soaring, the demand is now there for them. See this site for some info: http://www.hybridcars.com/

It's an inevitable shift to "greener" vehicles - so although we're all suffering now, it's great that oil prices are soaring because we might just start moving towards cars that don't kill the planet.

JFK

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Permalink Reply by Natalie Bochenski on June 12, 2008 at 7:25pm

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said "in this world nothing is certain except death and taxes". We can probably add "high petrol prices" to that now! (Although the pedantic would point out the tax on petrol is what's exacerbating the pain).

I try to accept the higher prices as cheerfully as I can (and fill up on Tuesdays).

I believe the positive in this will be a reduction in the number of 4WDs or SUVs or whatever you want to call them clogging up the streets. And may I say hurrah to that. Great big stupid things. Completely understand rural and regional drivers owning them (my Gran lives in Vanuatu and her 4WD is justified once you see the pot holes!), but unnecessary in the city and surrounds.

I had a couple of friends tell me they needed them "for having kids". My parents had Commodore station wagons - which were perfectly sufficient for country driving trips, sports games etc. I have a Toyota Corolla, and I'd not go any bigger!

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Permalink Reply by purplewombat on June 12, 2008 at 10:04pm

I think it's a damn shame Daihatsu pulled out of the market in Australia when they did. I have a 1997 Terios purchased new when they first came out and it's the best vehicle I've ever had. The 1.3L motor gets me wherever I want to go, it's extremely reliable and what I like about 4WD and AWD vehicles is better grip on the roads and extra height for seeing what's going on up ahead. The Terios is not regarded as a "proper" 4WD, but the only rough driving I do is the 2 km of dirt road between our home and the main road. My point is that it was a cheap vehicle at the time ($17000 on road) and is very economical to run, so it would be a lot more popular now, than it was prior to the pull-out.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Aloisi on June 13, 2008 at 12:08am

Ah, the good old Daihatsu. It is a pity they pulled out of Oz. The Japanese - as is often the case - were ahead of their time in producing cars that guzzled less petrol.

It's OK, they're also the ones who are producing the most hybrid cars - Honda and Toyota are both vying to be the no.1 hybrid manufacturer.

TA

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Permalink Reply by michael s. brighouse on June 13, 2008 at 6:54pm

it's a "rip off" by oil companies, what do the oil companies actualy pay for the oil that they get from australian sources (bass strait) etc., not the $135 a barrel arab prices i'll bet, so where does the extra money go. mike.

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Permalink Reply by Mary M on June 14, 2008 at 8:48pm

Mike, it's a business like anything else. Same supply, increase in demand will equal higher prices. Why would Australian sources charge less than the going rate???
Mary M

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Permalink Reply by JG on June 16, 2008 at 8:02pm

That's a little unfair to the American's Jeff, they're just contracting gasoline.

It's a liquid that converts to a volatile gas, seems simple enough.