Despite all the talk about peak oil these days, you don't get much of an impression that people are very concerned about rising fuel prices.
Fuel hungry SUVs still seem to be popular with New Zealand motorists, and although the Police say some drivers are slowing down to say fuel, I haven't really noticed it much myself. Most people still seem to drive as they usually do - at the speed limit when the Police are around, and 10-20 km above the speed limit when the coast is clear.
There also seems to be a swift from manual to automatic cars, which isn't doing much for fuel conservation as many auto cars are only 4 speeds. My parents recently purchased a near-new 2 litre 4-speed station wagon, which, much to their disappointment, actually uses more gas than the 11-year-old 2.8 litre manual wagon which it replaced.
Cars with permanent 4WD also have lousy fuel economy, yet this isn't putting people off buying them for that once a year trip to the ski fields. The European trend towards diesel cars hasn't really taken off here either, despite the fact that some of the newer diesels out-perform hybrids cars in terms of overall fuel economy.
Mind you, drivers aren't getting much help from the motor industry. Many of the mileage figures cited in newspaper advertisments are a long way off the mark. In city traffic, some SUVs actually have 50 percent worse fuel economy than on the open road, and most mileage figures are based on open road driving conditions.
With fuel prices likely to rise significantly in the next 5-10 years, people could be making a big financial mistake in not buying a fuel efficient car, particularly when you also factor in rising food prices, surging electricity bills, and continuing high interest rates.
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3 comments:
As Steve Sailer wrote, "Environmentalism in LA is mostly about shopping, buying stuff white people like to flaunt your social conscience and income, about showing the world that you’re living life in the fast lane. Driving slower so you can save money at the pump, in contrast, is seen as just sad."
Here in NZ I have a little Toyota Cynos which is 16 years old and still does under 7 litres per 100 ks. I was tempted to purchase a new car with air bags to save my life but feel obligated to keep the Cynos.I get mad seeing everyone driving large SUVs just to show how well off they are.
Anon, I drive something similar, and am in the same dilemma, my car's cheap to run and reliable but it doesn't have the safety and handling of a newer car with air bags, abs etc.
If I do get a newer car I think I'll try and avoid an auto, and get another modest sized manual but try and get one with a least a few modern safety features.
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