How to save Fuel thread

[Gabus]

That was in 2004.

Press release; 13 June 2008

With an 8% national increase, China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounted for two thirds of last year’s global carbon dioxide increase of 3.1%. China’s CO2 emissions are now estimated to be about 14% higher than those from the USA. With this, China tops the list of CO2 emitting countries, having about a quarter share in global CO2 emissions (24%), followed by the USA (21%), the EU-15 (12%), India (8%) and the Russian Federation (6%).

[richard_leeds]

Originally Posted by Gabus

With an 8% national increase, China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounted for two thirds of last year’s global carbon dioxide increase of 3.1%. China’s CO2 emissions are now estimated to be about 14% higher than those from the USA. With this, China tops the list of CO2 emitting countries, having about a quarter share in global CO2 emissions (24%), followed by the USA (21%), the EU-15 (12%), India (8%) and the Russian Federation (6%).

Well spotted ... unusual for wiki to be so out of date

Taking population into account, China is still much cleaner per head than EU and US. If they are already accounting for 24%, how much fuel will they consume when they get to the same consumption as US/EU?

[Don B.]

Down here in New Zealand we're paying $2.25(NZD) per liter, which equates to $8.51(NZD) per US Gallon or $10.23(NZD) per Imperial Gallon.

One NZ Dollar = 0.76 (USD) & 0.38 (GBP).

I only need to fill up once a month (50 liter tank) as I only use the car to go to & from work 5 days a week, with a bit of putting around at the weekends.
There's usually 1 - 1.5 liters left when I fill up

I drive like a Nana, and don't use the SC too much (unless provoked Ha Ha!)

If you recall back in 1974 there was the same doom & gloom about fuel prices. Virtually overnight, big cars became a liability and dropped in value like lead balloon!

I was working in a used car dealership at the time, and well remember being VERY lucky to get $6.5k(NZD) for a MINT 1 owner, 23k mile 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum R/T with all factory options! (That car today in NZ would easily fetch $100k (NZD).

I think once the Saudi's have opened their new mega-huge oil field, there will be a surplus of crude, which will be reflected in a BIG drop in the per barrel price.
The Canadians are going hard out on extracting Shale oil, which is an enormously expensive process, and only viable if the crude price is high (artificially, or otherwise).

[cousjcc]

I don't really see it changing anytime soon honestly, even based on supply/demand theories. The US had something like 600 million miles less of total driving during a 6 month span ending in March of this year compared to the same 6 month span last year, and yet fuel prices continued rising rather than falling. Even with China/India's increase, it stands to reason (at least to me) that prices would have levelled off if not fallen a tad. The fact that we didn't see the first 10-cent drop until a few days ago contradicts supply/demand economics.

On the other hand, fuel guzzling SUVs and trucks are FINALLY becoming less attractive. I have been sickened for YEARS when seeing one person driving along in a 10 person SUV, gas prices aside. It's just a ridiculous waste. It's like cooking a 20 pound rib roast, eating 3 bites, and throwing the rest away. Just doesn't make sense. I would be ecstatic to see behemoth monstrousity vehicles go the way of the dinosaurs they try to immitate.

As for driving less... I would say I do less "frivolous" driving on the weekends than I used to, but I know that will change at least for a time after I pick up my SLK. The gas prices bug me, but they're certainly not making me choose between food and fuel or anything like that.

[Don B.]

Yeah cousjcc, the whole SUV "Thing" does my head in too.
Unless you live in a rural/farming environment there is absolutely NO NEED to own & operate such a vehicle.
Plus an awful lot of people don't know how to handle them in a panic situation and end up rolling into a ditch (or worse!).
I think OUR government could do worse than introduce a 4WD weight tax combo that would make it cost prohibitive to run these "Porkers" as urban family transport.

I've driven loads of em, and they all have the aerodynamics of an office block, the handling qualities of a 1960 Coupe de Ville on retreads and the fuel economy of a Jumbo jet!
NOT very planet friendly methinks.............................I'll stick with the SLK. More fun than a barrel full of monkeys and great economy to boot.

[mtiede]

Unfortunately, I think the current oil prices have nothing to do with supply and demand.

[Don B.]

Originally Posted by mtiede

Unfortunately, I think the current oil prices have nothing to do with supply and demand.

With the current situation, I agree entirely.

[DesignoSLK]

Originally Posted by Don B.

... Plus an awful lot of people don't know how to handle them in a panic situation and end up rolling into a ditch (or worse!)...

In addition, they rarely know how to properly park them! I see this on a regular basis with the Americans who ship these monsters overseas. One parking space left and it's got a cock-eyed parked Suburban next to it...no thanks.

My standard statement is, "If you can't park it...don't drive it!!!"

[cousjcc]

I absolutely agree with you Designo. Those things BARELY fit in most regular parking spots, and if the fool driving it doesn't know how to get it straight in the spot and centered between the lines, forget about it!

PS - if you're noticing a lot of replies from me tonight, it's cause I'm at work and someone stole my cell phone right off my desk when I stepped away from it, so I'm angry and bored....