
Not driving much the high cost of fuel doesn't effect me.
May 22, 2008
Affirmative Energy Action: A proposal to encourage the purchasing of fuel efficent cars and trucks.
Can China and the US Can Work Together to Reduce Their Crude Oil Consumption?: World oil consumption is a concern for all Americans. Can the two big oil users work together to conserve oil?
Oil Price Problems: Nobody has had time to adjust to higher oil prices, nobody knows the future.
On the Issue of Fuel Economy: Andrew dares to step into the debate about fuel economy.
Overemphasis on MPG: While we should care about MPG, our livestyle choices are more important.
What If Gas Gets Cheap?: Lower cost fuel will be a big distinctive to conserve.
This may shock you but I do not care if gas prices are $2 a gallon or $10 a gallon tomorrow. While like most drivers I would prefer to pay less for gasoline, I am largely insulated from the high cost of gasoline.
My truck gets around 20 miles per gallon of fuel and costs about 20 cents to drive a mile in fuel. Yet, I don't really care much one way or another. My next truck might even consume more fuel then my existing one. I'm thinking of getting either a full-size truck like a F-150 or maybe a mid-size truck like a Dodge Dakota.
Higher fuel prices might even help me buy a bigger truck at a lower price. There will be less of a demand for full size truck should gas prices continue to go up. That's all fine with me as I am all for saving more money when it comes to buying a new truck.
Did I mention my 20 mile per gallon pickup truck uses less fuel then most Toyota Prisus on the road today? It gets fantastic gasoline mileage sitting in first gear with the engine turned off – for days at a time.
My Secret: I don't drive much.
I take mass transit or my bike to get around town. I live within 3 miles of the city and can get around it faster on my bicycle then I can by car. I have yet to get a parking ticket for illegally parking my bike—all it takes is a tree or a lamp post to tie it up and find parking.
I do drive sometimes on the weekends. Yet, I drive sparingly and my average weekly mileage is about 75 miles. That means that even at 20 cents a mile, it only costs me about $15 a week in fuel (or at $10/gallon that equals an affordable $38 week in fuel). I haven't changed my motor oil since January. Best of all driving is fun – when I get behind my truck after a week of idling it, the truck feels so powerful.
Mass transit is not perfect in Albany. Yet it is doable by understanding it and knowing when and where the buses run. Throwing a bike on the bus makes it even easier, as there is greater flexibility at finding and catching a bus. There might be sometimes
Copyright ©1999-2008 Andy Arthur.
All mistakes are intentional or otherwise.
Mind where you step in a cow pasture or legal mindfield.