[zitterbewegung]

Gas prices have been from the $2.00 to the $5.00 mark for the past decade. Adjusting for inflation Gas is getting relatively cheaper but the last time it actually changed consumption it would be around 2008 so it was at the $5.00 mark ($6.55 a gallon).

Biden just released the national gas reserves which is an attempt to keep prices lower. For a long time it has been said that we have to change peoples behavior to solve the global climate crisis but that seems unrealistic and I think instead we should invest in large scale carbon sequestration projects. Telling people what to do doesn't go over very well for anyone.

[ethagknight]

Just let gas prices be higher than we are used to, people will figure it out for themselves. Blame it on Russia, Saudi Arabia, ramp up local production and call it a day.

I recently sold my large luxury SUV in exchange for a smaller sedan ( that happens to be electric). I’ve always thought I needed a large SUV to do the things I want to do, so far nothing is changed. I personally made a huge quantum leap in personal vehicle choice, tesla convinced me, but frankly the new car could’ve been a more mundane sedan and still saved me a fortune. Lots of low hanging fruit out there if gas prices really are “too high“

[lucaspm98]

The average electric car transaction was $63k in January, compared to $26k for a compact car and $34k for a crossover.

Americans already tend to buy way too much car, financing them over 60 or even 72 months, and that was happening before the incredible price increases over the past 2 years. Only the (increasingly small) upper middle class and above can responsibly afford an electric car.

Even expecting the general public to be forced to switch to hybrids and more fuel efficient gas cars is unrealistic in the short to mid term as the supply simply isn't there. Letting gas prices be higher than they used to be to incentivize electric car adoption could be a logical step, but likely in 3-10 years when prices are comparable to existing technology.

Source: https://mediaroom.kbb.com/2022-02-09-New-Vehicle-Prices-Retr...

[ethagknight]

If I’m following correctly, I think what’s missing from your comment is that a Kia Rio is $17k brand new and includes carplay, gets 36 mpg combined, 10yr 100k mile warranty, and doesn’t bother with complicated/expensive hybrid or battery.

To your point, people just don’t want that car because… cars play into one’s identity and style (at least marketing tells us it does). But that shouldn’t drive our geopolitical oil and gas strategy. Neither should the fundamental expectation that USA should be guaranteed the ability to drive 100 miles on $10 worth of gas in the average vehicle sold.

[zitterbewegung]

What happens when we have a massive amount of electric car batteries that can't be recycled? (not being rhetorical here is there some kind of report)