What is the most you will pay for gas per gallon before making DRASTIC changes or protest?

Question

What is the most you would pay per gallon of gas before you make MAJOR changes in your lifestyle or protest? I don't mean like buying less soda during the day. I mean more like carpooling even if the hours are off (meaning sitting at work waiting or going in hours early), only driving your car when you absolutely HAVE to, pressuring lawmakers to get alternative energy pushed through faster for vehicles, riding a bike to work even if it's a long distance, or getting rid of your truck or SUV even if you need it due to your situation (kids, haul items alot, etc...)?

I ask this question because recent legislation is giving I beleive about 10 years for carmakers to increase fuel economy, however at the current rate of fuel cost increase, we'd be paying in the range of $7 to $9 a gallon by then. This I seeing being an amount that would price many people out of being able to drive. I am getting worried. Any other opinions?

Answer 1

What would I protest?   I don't recall anyone having promised me cheap gas as a birthright.  Unless it was on that third tablet that Moses broke?

Ten years to change the law?  Plus another 10 years for the car fleet to turn over!  Not your problem though, because you only need one car!

You can buy a 35MPG SUV today. (Ford Escape hybrid).

You can but a 40 MPG car for under $1000 today (late 90s econoboxes).

You can buy a NEW 50MPG car today (Prius).

You can buy a late model 50 MPG diesel car today and run biodiesel.  

You can convert a car to straight electric or series hybrid, today.

I fully expect America to engineer a way to keep our ostentatious energy-sucking lifestyle.  But you don't have to.   You can live VERY well in a beautiful, cosmopolitan, transit-friendly city and have no car at all! (well you rent from ZipCar or Hertz when you need one.)  Or if you have kids, you can find a safe but transit friendly suburb where you can stop being an SUV chauffeur and let them haul their own junk.

Those are all choices you have.  And I recommend you make those choices individually and correctly for you and yours... even if it's not what your friends do.  We need leaders, lead by doing!

Answer 2

I dunno.  I should be worried but I'm not there yet.

I'm too busy driving around on 'E' looking for a Full-Service gas station.  Boy!  Those were the days!  :)

Answer 3

I don't think it's a question of price.  The reason the price is high is because people are using too much.  If most people made the types of drastic changes you mention, prices would come down.

Answer 4

This is a good question, and you should be worried.  I will not answer the question specifically, but I believe it is almost certain we will be in the $6 to $8 range for gasoline within 5 to 7 years.  People should be thinking about that now.  I own five vehicles - four of them are four-cylinder cars.  The fifth is an RV, which is the smallest RV you can buy with all the amenities (Microwave, shower, sink, toilet, bed, LCD TV, etc.).  I also own an electric bicycle.  ANYBODY who is considering a new car should be thinking in the 30 to 50 mpg range.  It's coming, people.