Gas is high because consumers want it

Gas is high because consumers (all of us) want it, lots of it, and don't really give a damn what it costs. Sure, we'll bitch and moan every time it goes up and say someone in Washington should do something about it, but that's about as far is it goes. Well, aside from those retarded-ass chain emails saying we should boycott Exxon-Mobil ("This plan is different. It'll really work this time, I swear!"), which no one follows through on anyway...

If people really gave a shit, they'd try and conserve by demanding, and then buying, more fuel efficient cars. That means: people need to stop buying more car than they need (mom's of two don't need the Tahoe to drive around town); and making more fuel efficient cars. And it's not like it's that big a leap, either. The technology is there, and it's not all the radical (and I'm not talking hybrids). It's called diesel, people.

For example, let's say someone decided to step down from an SUV to a 4-door sedan. In this case, I'll use two cars that are pretty well representative of their respective classes: the Chevy Tahoe; and the 4-door Honda Accord. First of all, I'd say is fair enough to ask someone to make the jump from the Tahoe to the Accord. An Accord, while certainly smaller than a Tahoe and not a huge sedan like a Mercedes, is fairly roomy, has more than enough room for virtually everything you'll ever do, and sure ain't hell no damn Insight or Civic coupe. That jump from the Tahoe to the Accord will taken your MPG from 15 city/21 highway to 24 city/34 highway (20/30 if you go with the V6).

Now in comes the turbo-diesel. And there's really nothing but benefits: better mileage; better durability; and cheaper fuel. Sure, then engine sounds a little different, but come on. While I'd never agree with the argument, I could maybe understand it if diesels sounded like they did back in the 80s...like in those old Mercedes. But that's simply not the case anymore. Anyway...the same car in the UK, the 4-door Accord, with a turbo-diesel gets 32.5 city/52.5 highway, as opposed to 24/34. Hell of an improvement, no? And yes, that's taking into account the difference between imperial gallons and US liquid gallons.

All in all, you've more than doubled your mileage. Toss in the fact that diesel is cheaper to produce, and thus cheaper at the pump, than gasoline, and you're looking at quite the savings. Going by the EPA standard for combined MPG (average of city and highway, weighted .55 city .45 highway), and assuming you drive about 15,000 miles a year, you'd be burning less than half the fuel (847 gallons vs 361) an are looking at savings of approximately $1660 at the current national average of $3.201 a gallon for regular unleaded gas and $2.911 for diesel. Naturally, as time goes on and fuel prices continue to rise, you save even more money. And all while helping to end our dependence of foreign oil AND helping to save the environment.

Anyway...I just wish people would stop bitching about gas prices and actually do something proactive about it. As I've shown, it doesn't have to be anything radical. It's not (or at least shouldn't be) necessary to drop down to a tiny little hybrid, and spend significantly more on the car itself than you otherwise would to do so. Be somewhat sensible about what you buy, which means don't go for the Tahoe, Hummer or the like, and get (or demand) a car that's more fuel efficient. You'll save money, you'll help curb our dependence of foreign oil, and you'll help protect the environment.