Interesting chart I found in the news.

Left is the year, middle is the price per gallon for that year and the right is what it would have cost in today's dollars.

Year Price Today's Dollar
------------------------------------
1919 $0.25 $2.75

1929 $0.21 $2.34

1939 $0.19 $2.52

1949 $0.27 $2.10

1959 $0.31 $1.96

1969 $0.35 $1.77

1979 $0.84 $2.21

1989 $1.02 $1.48

1999 $1.17 $1.27



Pretty interesting how inflation never caught up with the price of gas and in reality gas is the cheapest it has even been if you factor in inflation.

 

So it looks like I couldn't afford gas back in 1919 as well as today!

 

They are high yes. But cry me a river. If you really think they are that bad here in the U.S. try going to Europe.

I think you ppl need a wakeup call.

Jag

 

Yeah, I had no idea we had it so good.
If the price (adjusted for inflation) keeps dropping like that then I guess they are practically giving it away and we are fools for complaining.

The chart stopped at 1999? I'm sure that was just an oversite on the oil companies part.
I know they wouldn't try to hoodwink us.

 

No not them... Never!!!

 

Hey now, the reason are gas prices are far lower than yours in Europe is also because we use so damn much of it. All of western Europe is like Texas, we drive a hell of a lot more than you all do and have always been paying the "lower" prices on gas. The US knows how important gas is to the economy here and they do their best to keep it low (slacking lately). We dont need a "wake up call", you all have breaks in things we dont because of demand and useage...like wine in France
The point is, the guy that was putting 200+ miles on his truck each week was once paying $17 each week and is now paying $30. Thats a difference of $676 a year. I know some commuters here in the DC area who pull in almost 500 miles weekly which would be $1700 a year (due to change in gas prices). Now since England is only about 500 miles wide and I doubt you are traveling from coast to coast bi-weekly I would say our consumption is a little higher, so a price break is in order. Theres a wake up call.

 

I'm in England, prices are about $1.50 per litre. Anyone care to convert that to gallons. Of course, I have access to good 'ol American gas for .49 per litre.

 

According to Royal Dutch Shell, they only have 1.5 Eurocent profit on 1 liter of gas. (90 Octane)



Euro 1.159 per liter.

Orange and Red is taxes:85 Eurocent
Green: 5 Eurocent for fillingstation
Purple/White: 1.5 Eurocent profit Shell
Yellow: 7 Eurocent Costs Shell
Blue: 17.5 Eurocent Production costs

A total of 1.159 Euro per liter.

Only 1.5 Eurocent profit per liter.

I always fill up at Tango, these fillingstations are always 7 Eurocents per liter cheaper. ($.30/Gallon)
Tango is probably selling under costprice.

 

$1.50 x 3.785412 litres= $5.678/US Gallon.

 

Well Im not in England or Europe for that matter. I live in the US.

I still say you need a wake up call, since we are all used to paying extremely low gas prices compared to Europe.

Does not really matter how much it is, you still need it. So complaining about it will not really do much any good.

 

Jag,
Its not that we need a wakeup call, again we use a lot (the most in the world by far) so we get it cheaper. We arent "lucky" our prices are lower than other places, its because here it is so much more of a way of life and something we cant be without. This isnt Japan or Europe where the avg persons daily auto travel is low. The government knows this. You want to see a wakeup call, see what happens to the poverty level and jobs if the price goes too high. All means of travel, tourism and textiles that use oil will hit rock bottom. There is logic behind it. But yes we all hope they go down again. Oil will be in high demand till we are running out then the industry will have to pull a 180 and find alternate means of staying in business, i.e. hydrogen, ethanol, nat gas, electric. Now that will be a wakeup call brother.

 

Cry babies. Gas is cheap compared to the 80s. In the 80s it was a dollar higher than today in adjusted for inflation to today's dollars. It was close to $2.00 then at one point. Saudi just voted to up production. Look for prices to fall by the fall. But also be aware, you will never see prices lower than say 50 cents lower than they are today again, ever. Supplies are waining, demand is up, mainly due to China so we probably won't see a barrel of petrol go below $27, let alone hit $20 it was a few years ago. Write all you want. Congress has no say in gas prices. They do have a say in the taxes added to gas so if you want them to lower it, vote for the guys who have lowered your taxes recently.

 

It's all about GREED...

Greed of OPEC, greed of the government by way of extra taxes (I could be wrong, but doesn't Kerry want a $1 extra gas tax?), greed of the companies selling the gas to us, and I guess greed of us to use so much of the stuff!
I'm no enviromentalist, but everyone could probably lighten up a bit on useage. I know, this is coming from an F-150 owner!

 

I would gladly pay the prices that are paid in Europe if we could get a free education, free medical bills and a minimal amount of income taxes.

Writing your senator is not gonna do any good, what I did was bought me a 1000 gallon tank and buy it wholesale from the local bulk plant. Bought unleaded in GA today for 1.72 and the way it has been going up I should save some money!!

 

what is the octane rating of your base fuel... I recall benzene was in the mid-high 90's and how mauc per liter is taxes?

Jim