Gasoline prices are getting completely out of hand recently. We do have options. Agreed, some will be roughly equal to the horse pulling the train backwards, however some are useful. None are simple, but the more we can do together, the more we will accomplish.
Why are gas prices so high? The obvious answer is supply and demand. Supply is not increasing because of international pressure for gasoline as fast as demand is increasing. Unfortunately the time of cheap fossil fuels and gas are leaving us forever.
America has declined to produce and refine more oil. The reasons are up to speculation. Everyone knows that oil drilling and new refineries will have an environmental impact; however the impact on the "3 day frozen tulip" has to be equaled with the impact to our economy. Most Americans feel the anguish every time they go to the gas pumps. This is senseless. The USA has the resources to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, but will not use them.
What can you do about high gas prices? Call every politician you can find a phone number for. Demand they explain exactly why gas prices are so high. Ask them why the US hasn't constructed a new refinery in 30 years. Ask them why they don't support drilling in ANWR. Short of drilling for oil in your yard, this is the only thing you can do to affect supply.
So, why are oil prices so high? You can personally effect demand. Only 20-30 years ago operating a car required more than just turning a key and driving. You had to check your oil every week. You had to change your own flat tire. You didn't have cruise for instance. You had to adjust the choke. The point is, nothing of value is free, the medium of exchange here is doing something you don't currently do now.
What does that have to do with high gas prices? Just trying to get you prepared for how you can double your gas mileage. You can wait for car manufacturers to develop alternative energy vehicles, and keep paying insane fuel prices, or you can do something NOW.
Alternative energy is not new. Humanity has been exploiting nature for energy since recorded time. Think whale blubber, oxen, horses, wood, sailboats, wind mills, hot springs, fire, and water mills. But history need not repeat itself, for personal locomotion these all are best left in the past, especially when you already own a at least one vehicle.
It is now possible to burn hydrogen gas extracted from water, on on demand, mix it with gasoline, ignite it in your engine, and save money on fuel. You can build a contraption from commonplace items for under $60 that will accomplish this. It will take you a late evening with simple tools to build, and under an hour to install it. The rub is, you will have to maintain it, which will probably take up to 30 minutes per month. Are you willing to give up your time to save between $1 - $1.50 on every gallon of gas you buy?
Why are gas prices so high? They don't have to be.
