According to GasBuddy.com the current average price per gallon nationally is $2.87, even higher than it was a year ago. In some places (California) it’s even broken the $3.60/gal mark! I’m sure that right about now people are starting to feel it.
I feel bad for the people who have to drive a big truck for their daily job. Roofing contractors, concrete contractors, etc. They’ve gotta hatin’ life when they see it costs them $86 to fill up. I don’t feel bad for the clown who bought a Hummer because it qualified as a work vehicle for tax deduction then they give it to their spouse to drive to the mall. I’ll be ok with the Hummer when they finally make it electric.
Speaking of big trucks and electric, I wonder when we will see a big contractor’s truck in a hybrid or electric. I know towing capacity could be an issue, especially if you’re hauling bags of concrete… but these poor guys need a BREAK here. Dodge? Ford? Chevy? Honda? Toyota?
18. April 2007 at 10:12 pm
I believe there’s a hybrid Silverado but it still gets pretty shitty gas mileage.
19. April 2007 at 2:09 am
I actually got a chance to test-drive the “hybrid” GMC truck shortly before it came on the market. Easily the least impressive hybrid ever.
The electric motor was incapable of propelling the truck because it was really only a big starter motor wrapped around the transmission. The engine would save gas by cutting out when your foot comes off the accelerator and quickly restarting when the accelerator is pressed again. That boosts fuel economy from something like 12mpg to something like 15mpg (which does mean up to a 20% reduction in fuel usage). It’s a neat trick, but it stretches the definition of “hybrid” in my book.
To accomplish this, the truck needs both a regular 12V battery and a 42V battery pack under the rear seat. Guess what–if either battery dies, the vehicle won’t start! It would be easy to wire in a self-jumpstart but GM didn’t even think of it. They did think of providing a 110VAC outlet back in the bed so the whole truck can be used as a generator.
19. April 2007 at 3:17 am
You think they have it bad, I’m a taxi driver, try $40 to $50 in gas daily, six days a week.
19. April 2007 at 2:38 pm
Hrm… Disappointing. Builders can make a super FAST electric, but strong is a different story.
And to javarod… OUCH! You know, the last time I took a cab from the airport I was thinking how beneficial it would be to have a hybrid cab, since most of the trips seem to be shorter, inner city rides. Of course the benefit is lost when you have to take someone from city to city. I’m sorry about your plight.
I wonder what cab drivers have in Cali. Liquid propane cabs?
26. April 2007 at 10:09 pm
It’s all about desire too… People who buy big trucks (excluding, of course, businesses who need them) are simply willing to spend the big bucks for gas, without regard for fossil fuel depletion and climate change. But then, nobody ever said the rich weren’t selfish.
There are SO many people driving huge gas guzzling trucks, who clearly don’t NEED to be. They don’t live and work on farms/ranches. They don’t use the truck to haul stuff for a business. They just simply like having a big powerful vehicle.
Selfish indeed.
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