US gas cheap?

[The Beam]

 Despite daily headlines bemoaning record gas prices, the U.S. is actually one of the cheaper places to fill up in the world.

Out of 155 countries surveyed, U.S. gas prices were the 45th cheapest, according to a recent study from AIRINC, a research firm that tracks cost of living data.

The difference is staggering. As of late March, U.S. gas prices averaged $3.45 a gallon. That compares to over $8 a gallon across much of Europe, $12.03 in Aruba and $18.42 in Sierra Leone.


http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/01/news/international/usgas_price/index.htm?eref=rss_topstories

Everyone freaks out about the prices- but have no problem paying more per gallon for their coffee. 

[Izzy]

Everyone freaks out about the prices- but have no problem paying more per gallon for their coffee. 

I hear that! Bloody milk is just about the same price as petrol and we produce it right here in our backyards

I also find it funny how 2 NZ petrol companies (BP and Shell) can blah on at consumers about having no control over the cost of petrol but still manage to post record profits for the last quarter

[Taf]

It's almost the same price everywhere... it's local taxes that lift the price into the obscene range...

[The Beam]

2 of the 3 idiots running for President want to stop the federal gas tax for the summer.  It's something like .18¢ per gallon.  Might save the average user something like $23 -$28 over the summer.

Big deal.

The added bonus is that this would take money away from needed highway repairs.  So we get slightly cheaper gas, but more repair bill from all the chuckholes.

I just love election year posturing. 

[Izzy]

Apparently I can't complain about petrol prices

New Zealand has the fifth-cheapest petrol of the 27 OECD countries, behind Mexico, Canada, the US and Australia.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4507628a10.html

Not that I ever really have anyway, not much I can do about it. 

[kriskd]

We try not to complain either, but rather do what we can by cut our consumption by biking to work, choosing to drive small fuel efficient cars and eliminating unnecessary trips out.

We're also trying to reduce frivolous spending in general -- coffee, restaurants, etc.

[Anna]

I pay 119.9p (£1.20) per litre for diesel.
Milk is 56p per litre (based on £1.92 for 3.4 litres).

Vegetable Oil is £1 per litre ... so I only save 20p per litre if I run my car on veggie oil 

[Taf]

Vegetable Oil is £1 per litre ... so I only save 20p per litre if I run my car on veggie oil 

And you have to be a nice person and pay the revenue tax if you do so....

[Spite]

Vegetable Oil is £1 per litre ... so I only save 20p per litre if I run my car on veggie oil 

  Hope your engine's been converted.

[Anna]

And you have to be a nice person and pay the revenue tax if you do so....

Nope law has changed, I was registered as a Bio-diesel distributer and sent my cheque monthly, then they wrote to me as you only pay tax if you use over 20,000 litres a year (or something ... the law changed over a year ago), and told me I didn't need to pay anymore.

Hope your engine's been converted.

I don't need too - I have to correct fuel pump to be able to run veggie oil in my car (and my Land Rover and Peugeot too).  We have been running all cars on vegetable oil for nearly 3 years now.

At the moment I use diesel in the Astra as I only go short distances so its easier for me to use diesel, the Landy is on 50/50 but will go up to 90% when its nicer weather. 

Only problem we have ..... stinks of food cooking when stuck in traffic and people stare at you 

[The Beam]

"Do you want fries with that Land Rover?"

[fred]

deep fried Landrover.   YUM!

[Spite]

Hope your engine's been converted.

I don't need too - I have to correct fuel pump to be able to run veggie oil in my car (and my Land Rover and Peugeot too).  We have been running all cars on vegetable oil for nearly 3 years now.

  It's not the fuel pump that's the problem.  You need a prewarmer for the cold weather, and the folk who sell them are supposed to inform the Inland Revenue, when they do.  Still, if you've been running them for 3 years, without problems, I suppose it's okay.

[Anna]

My Astra and the Peugeot both have small heater thingys under the bonnet that pre-heat the oil they go onto the fuel line, the landy doesn't as it doesn't seem to need it 

We are going to add in a veggie oil tank to the landy at some point, so it starts on diesel and then switches over to veggie (like you do with LPG) and back to diesel before you park.  Just haven't had the money to buy the stuff, this can be a job for the summer

[Spite]

We are going to add in a veggie oil tank to the landy at some point, so it starts on diesel and then switches over to veggie (like you do with LPG) and back to diesel before you park.  Just haven't had the money to buy the stuff, this can be a job for the summer

  I should.  Landrover engines are tough, but when they break, they're expensive to fix. You won't have to worry about it much in the warm weather, but beware of running it on Vegetable oil in the cold, if there's no preheater fitted.  If it gets too cold, it can congeal, and block, or even blow the injectors.