tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7180856.post3438595996381157044..comments2024-03-26T04:59:06.066-06:00Comments on bigblueglobe: The Future?Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16696967458525375416noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7180856.post-28343039740404051292008-05-27T15:01:00.000-06:002008-05-27T15:01:00.000-06:00Sure, fuel's expensive in Great Britain, but as I ...Sure, fuel's expensive in Great Britain, but as I understand it, the current pump price is around 110p per liter, about $8.20/US gallon, and about 60% of that is tax. GB and Europe tend to tax fuel highly to discourage use--thus the preponderance of mini cars and scooters (OK, narrow streets and lack of parking have an effect, too). Taxed at US rates, 18ยข federal plus state sales tax, GB gas would be closer to $3.70.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05646561475211852246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7180856.post-7349704980927610512008-05-27T12:55:00.000-06:002008-05-27T12:55:00.000-06:00$4's! Try $10's a gallon in the UK!$4's! Try $10's a gallon in the UK!David Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13310323836324348405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7180856.post-72634428443398378232008-05-26T15:43:00.000-06:002008-05-26T15:43:00.000-06:00Tom, I find a lot of people feel as you, that "the...Tom, I find a lot of people feel as you, that "the powers" are unwilling/unable to improve on automotive technology. I also find that many more are unwilling to give up the power--the zoom-zoom--provided by the big displacement gasoline engines. And I believe that "the powers", operating under the rules of the free enterprise system are committed to give the customer what she/he wants, not that which will be good for the customers grandchildren. The news today ran a report that car dealers are again charging a premium on hybrid autos; that high mpg standard technology small autos are selling off the used car lots at unheard of resale prices. Add another dollar to gas prices and only the wealthy will drive SUV's. Add a couple more, or watch as falling supply drives in rationing and we might be on the verge of hydrogen fuel cell autos.<BR/><BR/>As to your situation in the cold, of course fuel, food and utilities costs seem a thing far away for you, but actually you pay far more for them than we in the States do, since they must all be delivered to you at the end of a long supply chain. It's only that, as a part of your employment compensation, they are subsidised by your employer.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05646561475211852246noreply@blogger.com