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More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 05:24:15 pm

Title: Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 05:24:15 pm
Just a small query : what do you pay for gas in your neck of the woods?   Here (Victoria, Canada) we are currently paying .93/liter (approx $2.43/gal). :(
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: GRAYDOG on April 28, 2004, 05:27:31 pm
In Ohio ,the Cleveland area it is about  $ 1.70 per gal.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: KingSparta on April 28, 2004, 05:28:35 pm
$0

I have a credit card, the company I work for pays for it.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: enigman on April 28, 2004, 05:33:18 pm
1.85 in CT, but I live in NYC (where it's generally at least $2.00) and only drive a couple of times a month when I want to leave the city...

IMHO though, it should be $5.00.  That way people would think twice about buying hummers and we'd see a LOT more interest in hybrids and other energy conservation / renewable energy solutions.  The oil ain't gonna last forever people, and we're going to start seeing some really tangeable consequences of global warming real soon...

--Tim
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: LonWar on April 28, 2004, 05:41:05 pm
Depending on the day, It ranges from .65 a liter to .79, This can all happen in the span of a day...

Toronto Canada
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Chris Shaw on April 28, 2004, 05:45:20 pm
Over here in UK, about 78p / litre. That's about $5.20 per US gallon. Pity us.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 05:50:30 pm
Looks like we Canucks are really getting the short end of the stick here on prices.  Does NY have any pollution control policies in place?  I know that ours are a little more stringent than those in place in Calif.   Have seen a lot more Hummers here, too, especially since all those movie types started coming here more often.  Used to be a lot more small cars.  then came the Mini Vans and now the SUV's.  We don't have a huge pop. base and transit isn't all that great - but we're tryin'! .  Have seen more than a few hybrids here, too. Victoria is the hot spot for  the ecology minded.  Still wearing our love beads, birks and tye dyes!   ;D
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: fex on April 28, 2004, 06:00:49 pm
You lucky guys.

In Switzerland we pay 1.08672 USD a liter (0.91 Euro).

Maybe we should start a little invasion. Iraq or something similar. ;)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 06:11:47 pm
You only pay up to .79 in TO???!!!  Guess someone really, really doesn't like us here on the West Coast! :(
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: LonWar on April 28, 2004, 06:13:34 pm
That's when it's the most expensive.... Mostly stays around 71...
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: JimH on April 28, 2004, 06:14:23 pm
IMHO though, it should be $5.00.  That way people would think twice about buying hummers and we'd see a LOT more interest in hybrids and other energy conservation / renewable energy solutions.  The oil ain't gonna last forever people, and we're going to start seeing some really tangeable consequences of global warming real soon...
I agree, Tim.  Thanks for pointing this out.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: KingSparta on April 28, 2004, 06:15:06 pm
You lucky guys.

In Switzerland we pay 1.08672 USD a liter (0.91 Euro).

Maybe we should start a little invasion. Iraq or something similar. ;)

Does Switzerland have an army? (Just curious)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: AoXoMoXoA on April 28, 2004, 06:16:36 pm
well that depends on which car I take . . . . one gets much better gas milage    :-\







just kdding folks
 ;D







Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: KingSparta on April 28, 2004, 06:20:11 pm
(http://www.democrats.org/images/jk/kerry_head_front.jpg)

John Kerry

don't have a hummer or SUV

or does he

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: pipsqueak on April 28, 2004, 06:20:45 pm
As cjdshaw point out gas (or fuel as we brits call it) is REALLY expensive in the UK. And its basically all tax - the UK has the highest tax on gas in the developed world. As a result almost everyone drives compacts or diesel cars.

I think ive seen 1 or 2 hummers ever in london, when i used to live there. not many SUV's either (i think some farmers may use them).

Now i live in NYC and see several hummers a day and im lucky if i see anything 'other' than a SUV....

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 06:22:57 pm
It hasn't been under .85 for quite some time here.  And I agree that something must be done to ward off the ecological consequences of using fossil fuels.  But try to convice the ones in charge that by lowering the cost of public transit that it would get more use!  I realize that Victoria is a very small city in the grand scheme of things, and our 15 to 20 minute "rush hour" seems laughable to those of you who are real urban dwellers, but we all have to do our part.   There's talk of beginning a wind generation project up island somewhere and  people here are trying to get a light rail system (we already have the tracks in most instances, from the CN days) to releve the congestion and make the downtown core more of a pedestrian friendly zone.  
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: crowfan on April 28, 2004, 06:24:13 pm

John Kerry

don't have a hummer

I hope not, at least for the sake of his political career. Look what it did to Clinton!

crow
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 06:32:12 pm
Anyone tried one of those vehicles that run on canola oil?  Heard   the only by-product is H2O.  Would sure give the farmers a boost.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: fex on April 28, 2004, 06:42:46 pm
Does Switzerland have an army? (Just curious)

Every (male) Swiss has to go to the army. Everyone between 18 and 42 has his complete equipment at home. This includes an automatic assault rifle with ammo (no joke). So we are ready ::).

Otherwise we could retire all Logitech mices. It's a Swiss firm.

So be careful!

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Rizlaw on April 28, 2004, 06:46:04 pm
In my corner of Westchester County: regular goes between $1.90 and 2.00/gal; Super goes for as much as $2.40/gal at the local Shell station.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 06:48:40 pm
Rizlaw..if you don't mind me asking...where is Westchester County?
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: xen-uno on April 28, 2004, 07:05:30 pm
'bop > Heard  the only by-product is H2O

H2O is a greenhouse gas, causes flooding, erodes the land, and rusts my car...are you saying this is a good thing?

edit: ...and gas is in the range of $1.70 to $1.80/gallon ($0.48/L) here in eastern Ioway

edit2: ...and I concur with enigman
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Alex B on April 28, 2004, 07:20:01 pm
Helsinki, Finland.

About  EURO 1.10 / liter =  USD 1.31 / liter =  USD 5.95 / gallon

It's not enough that gas is heavily taxed here. When I read cjdshaw's and pipsqueak's comments I also have to make a conclusion that we are not included in the developed world.   :'(
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: fex on April 28, 2004, 07:24:56 pm
Suppose smoking is expensive too in Helsinki, Finland.
Not talking about alcoholics.

It works in every case...
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 07:31:49 pm
Xen -  Yup, I was talking water - water is good, yes, it can do bad things...like floods, but you shouldn't build on a flood plain...and one should  try to avoid living in a trailer park if you are in a tornado zone! The output is very minor (from what I've read).  As for erosion...if we didn't clear cut the forests for more houses, roads and lawns there wouldn't be as much of a problem. Erosion is, after all, a natural phenomenon.   I built a house in an area where leaving a covenent zone of natural vegetation is mandatory, designed house to leave as many trees as I possible could...have no lawn (they are an ecological desert).  Have small garden and pond - the  rest is planted with indigenous species of flora.   ;D
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: cascius on April 28, 2004, 07:38:08 pm
Does Switzerland have an army? (Just curious)

LMAO

Anyway here in California we pay around $2,10- 2, 40/Gallon... Quite expensive compared to other states.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Alex B on April 28, 2004, 07:50:20 pm
Suppose smoking is expensive too in Helsinki, Finland.
Not talking about alcoholics.

It works in every case...

A pack of cigarettes? About EURO 3.50 - 3.70, I think.  (http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/alexb/pix/smoking.gif)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: GHammer on April 28, 2004, 09:00:02 pm
It hasn't been under .85 for quite some time here.  And I agree that something must be done to ward off the ecological consequences of using fossil fuels.  But try to convice the ones in charge that by lowering the cost of public transit that it would get more use!  I realize that Victoria is a very small city in the grand scheme of things, and our 15 to 20 minute "rush hour" seems laughable to those of you who are real urban dwellers, but we all have to do our part.   There's talk of beginning a wind generation project up island somewhere and  people here are trying to get a light rail system (we already have the tracks in most instances, from the CN days) to releve the congestion and make the downtown core more of a pedestrian friendly zone.  

But... I don't wish to ride a bus/trolley/whatever. I like my car.
Simply having public transportation available and affordable does nothing to the desire to have and use a car.

You sound like you'd endorse the transportation methods of the place I live. Lots of bikes, frequent busses, self contained neighborhoods (shops, markets, etc).

Unfortunately the people who live here convert to cars and motorcycles the first chance they get. They don't seem to share the idea that public transport is desirable.

Using biomass (alcohol, etc) for energy overlooks a simple fact. Land use.
Take a look at part of a PBS story on global warming.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/warming/beyond/ (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/warming/beyond/)

I'd like to see hydrogen developed as a fuel. And contrary to most, nukes are nice energy sources. They're certainly clean.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Charlemagne 8 on April 28, 2004, 09:06:06 pm
Quote
..... Look what it did to Clinton!

That was low. But I do get it. Very subtle.

Around $1.75 / gal in Tennessee.

I think those H2O producing engines are called fuel cells. They can use ANY hydrocarbon ... canola oil, peanut oil, diesel or gasoline ... and still produce water and electricity. I can't help but think that with any of the fuels used, there would eventually be some sort of ooey-gooey residue left over after all the volatiles were used up. At least it wouldn't be going into the air.

CVIII
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: rocketsauce on April 28, 2004, 09:12:23 pm
IMHO though, it should be $5.00.  That way people would think twice about buying hummers and we'd see a LOT more interest in hybrids and other energy conservation / renewable energy solutions.  The oil ain't gonna last forever people, and we're going to start seeing some really tangeable consequences of global warming real soon...

--Tim

I bet sales wouldn't decrease much...here in L.A., anyway. I think the price of a gallon of gas is inconsequential to those people that fall into the intended target market for those types of vehicles.

Today, I paid $2.13/gallon for regular unleaded at a 76 station. (Super unleaded was $2.31/gallon). The only place I can get it cheaper is Costco.

Rob
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 09:12:51 pm
Thanks GHammer, that was indeed a good read.  Orbital solar power sounds interesting, but also sounds like one would need one heck of a sunscreen. ;D
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Robert Taylor on April 28, 2004, 10:14:10 pm
Here in Queensland, Australia ("Beautiful one day, perfect the next" as the ad says), I pay around 92c per litre for premium unleaded PETROL, about $12 for a packet of 25 fags (oops not s'posed to use that politically incorrect term for ciggys any more), $23 for a carton (or "slab" as we Aussies say) of 24 X 375ml beers, and around $19 per kilogram (2.2 lbs) of extremely fresh and very good tasting farmed prawns (shrimps).

These of course, are life's essential commestibles, all else is mere fluff...

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 28, 2004, 10:22:49 pm
Lunch, do you have other types of fish farmed down in Oz?  We have salmon farms up island - different taste than wild salmon, but slapped on a cedar plank on the barbie with a generous slather of lemon-dill sauce they sure are tasty.    How's the weather your way?  Having an unusually warm and dry spring up here in the Pacific Northwest.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Fixer on April 28, 2004, 11:28:04 pm
IMHO though, it should be $5.00.  That way people would think twice about buying hummers and we'd see a LOT more interest in hybrids and other energy conservation / renewable energy solutions.  The oil ain't gonna last forever people, and we're going to start seeing some really tangeable consequences of global warming real soon...
I agree, Tim.  Thanks for pointing this out.

I could not disagree more.  I'm so tired of govt trying to control the people via taxes, no matter how noble or not the cause may be.

And we know they would just give the extra $$$ to someone who won't work.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Magicland on April 28, 2004, 11:39:52 pm
I'm currently paying $1.53 per gallon for gasoline here in NJ, and cigarettes are around $4.85 a pack, though I haven't bought any of those in over 9 years now...
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: modelmaker on April 29, 2004, 01:21:15 am
$1.78/gal in Lake George, NY (about 1/2 way between NYC & Montreal). There is a local Hummer dealer and a lot of SUVs here.

PS: Westchester County is just north of NYC.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Sir Alan on April 29, 2004, 04:39:12 am
I run a petrol station.  Today the prices per litre are:

Regular unleaded (95): 78.9p

Super unleaded (98): 80.9p

Diesel: 79.9p

Lead replacement (4*): 79.9p

Of this, about 21p represents the cost, including delivery and a profit margin of about 2.5p.  The rest is taxes.  However, the Government (who of course set and collect the taxes) are the first to accuse the oil companies of greed and profiteering if they dare to raise the pump price by a penny.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Rizlaw on April 29, 2004, 06:36:48 am
Rizlaw..if you don't mind me asking...where is Westchester County?

The next county north of the Bronx, NY.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: benrad on April 29, 2004, 07:14:10 am
In Boston we're paying around $1.79 for regular gas. Cigs are about $5 a pack, but fortunately I don't smoke, and a six pack of Stella Artois is $7.99, which hurts, but it's worth it.

I'm considering getting a Toyota Prius. I love my Passat's V6, but it's a gas monster.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: enigman on April 29, 2004, 08:43:36 am
IMHO though, it should be $5.00.  That way people would think twice about buying hummers and we'd see a LOT more interest in hybrids and other energy conservation / renewable energy solutions.  The oil ain't gonna last forever people, and we're going to start seeing some really tangeable consequences of global warming real soon...

--Tim

I bet sales wouldn't decrease much...here in L.A., anyway. I think the price of a gallon of gas is inconsequential to those people that fall into the intended target market for those types of vehicles.

Rob


I agree that price isn't always as strong a factor as we might think in terms of whether or not people buy gas guzzlers vs fuel-efficient vehicles.  That said, everyone has a threshold for pain, and if gas were two to three times the price, I think SOME people would actually wake up and realize how much money they are spending.  Like with hiking the price of cigarettes, you're not going to necessarily stop everyone from consuming, but you do add an additional incentive to do so.  In addition, the increased tax revenue won't just go to 'someone who won't work' but rather would be channeled into research and development of energy efficient and/or renewable energy research.

And on the topic of byproducts of fuel cells, are you guys familiar with the controversy surrounding dihydrogen monoxide?  Pretty scary stuff.
http://www.dhmo.org/

Peace,

--Tim
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Sir Alan on April 29, 2004, 09:20:45 am
Wow - Dihydrogen monoxide is scary stuff.  And yet it seems it's all around us - so common you'd think it comes out of a tap.

It reminds me of a clue in The Times crossword many years ago: "Neither A to G, nor P to Z (5)"
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: jplumey on April 29, 2004, 10:02:56 am
Here in South Florida I average $1.90 - $2.00 per gallon for medium grade.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Fixer on April 29, 2004, 10:12:24 am
Quote

I agree that price isn't always as strong a factor as we might think in terms of whether or not people buy gas guzzlers vs fuel-efficient vehicles.  That said, everyone has a threshold for pain, and if gas were two to three times the price, I think SOME people would actually wake up and realize how much money they are spending.  Like with hiking the price of cigarettes, you're not going to necessarily stop everyone from consuming, but you do add an additional incentive to do so.  In addition, the increased tax revenue won't just go to 'someone who won't work' but rather would be channeled into research and development of energy efficient and/or renewable energy research.

I'll bet you a $5 gallon of gas the extra tax revenue WILL go to people who who won't work.

And then the so called "poor" will demand their "entitlement" and get more welfare to help them pay for their gasoline.

The price of electricity/natural gas went up drastically in my town this winter.  So the govt set up a program to help the "needy" pay their increased heating bills.

The son of one of my co-workers got some of this welfare, and he also has a house full of the latest video games.

It is not the function of our govt to manipulate us (no matter now noble anyone thinks the cause may be), show me where it says that in our Constitution.

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: DougHamm on April 29, 2004, 10:26:02 am
Just a small query : what do you pay for gas in your neck of the woods?   Here (Victoria, Canada) we are currently paying .93/liter (approx $2.43/gal). :(

$.85/litre here in Winnipeg, though there are usually deals at the pump on the order of 4-7 cents off.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 29, 2004, 10:44:10 am
Now I really am convinced that we islanders are being taken advantage of in the way fo prices. It could be worse, though, we don't have the cold winters so we pay less for heating.  And having had to accept help in the way of "welfare" long ago, I must say this:  not everyone on welfare is a loser who doesn't want to work.  There are women who have left abusive relationships with nothing but the clothes on their backs, there are persons with disabilities that prevent them from getting a job and some of the disabilities were occurred on the job.  There are good, hardworking people who have been "downsized" in a world where you need two incomes just to afford a home.  What about those whose workers whose companies folded and took their pensions along with them? Through no fault of their own, they were left in a financial jam. Yes, there are those that abuse the welfare system.  But it gave me a hand up when I needed it.  I wanted a job, and finally got a job, and then a better job and now pay huge amounts of taxes.  I, personally, would rather pay a tax that goes to help those truly in need than one that fills the already overflowing poekets of a few.  My intention, however,  wasn't to start an arguement about welfare, but to  see just what range of differences we pay across the board.  
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: zevele10 on April 29, 2004, 11:28:40 am
here , around $1-$1.20 a liter.

fags are from $1.20 up to $3 a box. Depending the brand.
Average US brands are at around $2.50.



Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: GHammer on April 29, 2004, 11:46:36 am
Quote

I agree that price isn't always as strong a factor as we might think in terms of whether or not people buy gas guzzlers vs fuel-efficient vehicles.  That said, everyone has a threshold for pain, and if gas were two to three times the price, I think SOME people would actually wake up and realize how much money they are spending.  Like with hiking the price of cigarettes, you're not going to necessarily stop everyone from consuming, but you do add an additional incentive to do so.  In addition, the increased tax revenue won't just go to 'someone who won't work' but rather would be channeled into research and development of energy efficient and/or renewable energy research.

I'll bet you a $5 gallon of gas the extra tax revenue WILL go to people who who won't work.

And then the so called "poor" will demand their "entitlement" and get more welfare to help them pay for their gasoline.

The price of electricity/natural gas went up drastically in my town this winter.  So the govt set up a program to help the "needy" pay their increased heating bills.

The son of one of my co-workers got some of this welfare, and he also has a house full of the latest video games.

It is not the function of our govt to manipulate us (no matter now noble anyone thinks the cause may be), show me where it says that in our Constitution.



Oh No! Somebody getting something for 'free'! Alert the press. Yeah, everyone I know who receives welfare is living the cush life. How I envy them...

As for the government's role in life, I believe it says somewhere in Section 8, The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States

I guess 'general welfare' can be whatever Congress decides.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: xen-uno on April 29, 2004, 12:33:53 pm
Enigman,

Thanks for finding/posting the Dihydrogen link ... supports my H2O point exactly.

10-27

PS: Almond M&M's are $0.75 a pack! It's outrageous...I've had to cut back on squares so I can afford them.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: enigman on April 29, 2004, 01:59:38 pm
Quote

I guess 'general welfare' can be whatever Congress decides.

Hear Hear.  If anyone doesn't believe that preventing global warming falls under protecting the general welfare, you should read a recent Pentagon report depicting one scenario of how Global Warming could have a profound impact on US National Security.  

http://www.ems.org/climate/pentagon_climate_change.html

So yes, our government DOES have the right, or even the moral and constitutional responsability to reduce emissions in the interest of protecting our "general welfare", and increasing taxes is definitely an accepted way to go about doing it.  But of course, that's just my opinion.

--Tim

P.S.  Sorry to go so far off topic on this - I realize that this isn't a political debate forum.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: FlyingCowOfDoom on April 29, 2004, 03:01:03 pm
It's 1.48 by me (Atlantic City area, NJ).

I want a Prius, but you have to wait on a list for 6 months :(

--FCOD
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: zevele10 on April 29, 2004, 03:33:10 pm
FlyingCowOfDoom


this is the best nick here.

Can i stole it?
LOL
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: FlyingCowOfDoom on April 29, 2004, 03:42:23 pm
I've had this name online for many years now, but you're not the first person to try to steal it...some jackass took flyingcowofdoom@yahoo.com before I could :(.  Oh well too bad for him I have the domain name.

--FCOD
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: zevele10 on April 29, 2004, 03:57:27 pm
FlyingJewofDoom Plays: Iron Butterfly · In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida [17:10 · #6] From the album: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (Deluxe Version)  [Musepack · 241 kbps]
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Mako on April 29, 2004, 04:16:02 pm
I Love My SUV.... and it's $1.89 in Michigan.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Cmagic on April 29, 2004, 04:23:25 pm
Hi folks,

gas price in France is around €1.00 / liter ($1.18)
I pay something like €0.85 / liter ($1.00) for the diesel that my car likes to drink !

The Jack D I'm drinking now is around  €17.00/for a 75cl bottle !!

nazdrowie !

Christian
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: DocLotus on April 29, 2004, 04:35:08 pm
When I first started driving, gas in Houston, Texas was 19 cents a gallon. ::)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Robert Taylor on April 29, 2004, 04:47:50 pm
BeBop,

There is a lot of work going into aquaculture here is Aus.

Down south (Tasmania - that little poo hanging off the arse of Australia on the map), they farm cold water species like Atlantic Salmon and tuna.

Apparently, there is now so much tuna that the farmers can't seel the stuff.

Up north in more tropical climes, they farm Barramundi (our premier sportfish - much like Florida's Tarpon and Bonefish), Mangrove Jacks (nothing like what the American's call "jacks", which are a more pelagic species which we call "Trevally"), these fish inhabit mangrove lined creeks and rivers, have huge teeth, and are very pugnacious fighters, as well as being excellent eating.

We also farm a lot of prawns, mud crabs and various other piscatorial critters.

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: GRAYDOG on April 29, 2004, 04:49:13 pm
When I was a child of 10 or so there were gas price wars  I think prices started at .27 per gal. that was in 1967
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: technobarbie on April 29, 2004, 05:13:46 pm
Vehicle: Jeep Wrangler
Location: NW of Chicago
Gas per Gallon: ~ $1.80 a gallon
Carton of Cigs: $48.00
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: paulr on April 29, 2004, 05:16:41 pm
~$1.90 here in Austin for super unleaded (my car requires it =/)...

I remember a few gas stations here that switched to S.I. units during the gas crisis in the '70s...  A LOT of people thought they were getting gas for cheap because it was priced by the liter...  In actuality, they were paying more per gallon than everyone else.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 29, 2004, 10:44:08 pm
Did a wee bit of math (  ;D  ) on these prices...applied a little statistical analysis...and voila...here are some interesting correlations:

Northwestern Canada :  average price is 2.43
Central Canada:                                       2.24
Eastern Canada                                       2.08
Northwestern USA                                    1.90
Central                                                     1.69
North Eastern                                           1.86
South Eastern                                          1.88

Northern Europe:                                      5.20
France                                                       1.18
Australia                                                      .92

No locale given:                                         1.62

Seems that the farther west, the greater the price, but Europe takes the prize for having the most outrageous prices for gas/petrol/fuel while Oz gets kudo's for having the lowest...maybe, I don't know the exchange rate for the Aussie dollar compared to the  US dollar (which I tried to convert the others to if you hadn't done it already). Granted, the sample sizes are very small so the science isn't really there, but it makes a nice picture when you put the little dots on the map!  

Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Magicland on April 30, 2004, 12:06:45 am
Gasoline is cheap, water is what's expensive. McDonalds charges almost $12.00 per gallon for water (based on $1.49 for a 16 oz bottle, YMMV). I don't know anybody paying that much for gasoline.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Robert Taylor on April 30, 2004, 01:41:07 am
Urmm...BeBop

That price for petrol here is Aus is 92c PER LITRE; we embraced the metric system some time ago  :)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Cmagic on April 30, 2004, 03:52:03 am
Yeah Bebop, I think you mixed up the volume units ;)

Gas price in france is $1.18 for a litre !
It's true that in Europe gas is far more expensive than in US/Canada.

BTW what's a gallon ?? ;)

C.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Alex B on April 30, 2004, 04:44:00 am
BTW what's a gallon ?? ;)

Volume/Capacity  (http://www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/isrs/hb27.html (http://www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/isrs/hb27.html))

1 cubic cm(cm3) = 0.0610 in3
1 cubic decimeter (dm3 = 1,000cm3 = 0.0353ft3
1 cubic meter (m3) = 1,000dm3 = 1.3080yd3
1 liter (l) = 1dm3 = 0.2642 US gal
1 liter = 1.057qt = 0.2200 Imp gal

1 hectoliter (h) = 100l = 2.8378 Us bu
1 cubic inch (in3) = 16.387cm3
1 cubic foot (ft3) = 0.0283m3
1 cubic yard (yd3) = 27ft3 = 0.7646m3
1 US dry pint = 0.5506l
1 US bushel = 64 US dry pt = 35.239l
1 US liquid pint = 0.47321 = 2cups = 16oz = 450cc
1 US liquid qt = 4cups = 0.946l
1 US gallon = 2 half gallons = 4 qts = 8pts = 16cups = 128 fl oz. = 3.7854l
1 cup(cu) = 8oz = 16 Tb
1 Tablespoon (Tb) = 3 tsp. = 15 cc
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5ml = 5cc
1 ounce (oz) = 30cc = 28.3g = 30ml

So there are two different gallons, US and Imperial!
Corrected Helsinki, Finland should then be:

About  EUR 1.10 / liter =  USD 1.31 / liter =  USD 4,96 / US gallon

That is about the cheapest I can get here. It can be EUR 1.20 / liter at some places.

And you must remember that it was not a long time ago when 1 euro was below 1 US dollar. Gas prices up here in Finland did not change much during the same time.

I am not sure if the sheiks and Norwegians accept also euros besides dollars for their barrels nowadays. (Mastiff, hallo?)   :)

P.S.
1 barrel = 42 US gal = 158.9 liters
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Alex B on April 30, 2004, 05:57:58 am
BTW what's a gallon ?? ;)

From: http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/OTHERREFERENCE/WEIGHTSandMEASURES/MetricHistory.html (http://www.cftech.com/BrainBank/OTHERREFERENCE/WEIGHTSandMEASURES/MetricHistory.html)

"Measuring Systems in the United States

Since colonialists brought with them the measuring methods of their homeland, confusing and contradictory measuring systems came to America. For instance, the imperial gallon used in England did not come to America. The U.S. gallon is a smaller one, and was called the Queen Anne wine gallon by the British. Today this difference in size between the Imperial gallon and the U.S. gallon causes confusion when converting to the metric system."

And more from: http://www.electro-optical.com/unitconv/unitdict/hist_si.htm (http://www.electro-optical.com/unitconv/unitdict/hist_si.htm)

"In England units of measurement were not properly standardized until the 13th century, though variations (and abuses) continued until long after that. For example, there were three different gallons (ale, wine and corn) up until 1824 when the gallon was standardized.

In the USA the system of weights and measured first adopted was that of the English, though a few differences came in when decisions were made at the time of standardization in 1836. For instance, the wine-gallon of 231 cubic inches was used instead of the English one (as defined in 1824) of about 277 cubic inches. The U S A also defined a separate dry gallon of about 269 cubic inches."
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: LonWar on April 30, 2004, 06:33:41 am
Mississauga Ontario, (Just west of Toronto) just hit  84.9 Cndn per liter...


Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Alex B on April 30, 2004, 06:55:08 am
Exchance rates, Nordea Bank, Helsinki, Finland, Updated 2004/04/30   
Currency      Middle rate

      EUR      1
      GBP      0,6759
      USD      1,1955
      CAD      1,6392
      AUD      1,6556
      CHF      1,5528
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Cmagic on April 30, 2004, 07:06:57 am
Hi Alex,

Thanks for all the precisions. Very interesting indeed.

C.
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 30, 2004, 11:13:40 am
Yikes!!!  Doing taxes and year end  at the same time has turned my brain into more mush than I though!!!  Here is the revised chart...

Canada
West     2.43              Central  2.42      East  2.08

USA
NW       1.75                                                  1.80
SW        2.24                            1.90              1.90

Europe:
Uk           5.20
Switz.      7.03
Fin           4.96
Fr             4.46

Australia  3.48

Hope the math is better  ;D - not a rocket scientist and hate math( how I made it through Stats, and with a 85%, is still a mystery to me - probably 'cause we only had to use the computer and it did all the real work!!).  It still makes what we pay look better compared to you poor European types.  And I averaged all the numbers for each area - Since I wasn't too sure how Texas considers it's location (SW or SCentral...you got S Central)  and Iowa - I lumped you into the NW...  my geography is as shaky as my math since I haven't used it in such a long time ( am a third year Enviro Psyc/social Psyc major  dropout...gonna finish it one of these days.  Have oodles of time...am only 51!!!)  Feel free to make any corrections, 'cause like I said, math just gives me a headache!!! ;D
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: Sir Alan on April 30, 2004, 12:43:37 pm
It was for some years the practice for UK road fuel tax to be increased every year by more than the rate of inflation, to discourage the use of vehicles and thus reduce the environmental impact.  That at least was the stated reason.  However, it was noticeable that the increases were always carefully set just below the pain threshold where car users might actually begin to change their habits, and it was obvious that it was merely a ruse to raise additional tax.

Our prices have gone down today, so unleaded is now 77.9p per litre (= £3.56 per gallon, or £2.95 per US gallon)
Title: Re:Way OT --How much do you pay for gas?
Post by: bebop on April 30, 2004, 01:59:08 pm
Was thinking about how hard I have to think now just to do the basic stuff I learned in Junior School...makes me wonder if our heavy  reliance on computers/pda's/cellphones is such a good thing because we just don't do the everyday stuff any more.  Heck, can't even remember my kid's phone numbers just their speed dial numbers...or maybe I am getting old, which is strange, 'cause I don't feel old at all.  I have had a scare, once or twice, upon looking into the mirror...someone stole my face and replaced it with my Mom's!!! ;D