As gas prices increase, consumption decreases
Have you noticed that there are fewer cars on the road lately? Recent trends seem to point in that direction. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. gasoline consumption has been declining for at least six months. In the first quarter of 2008 fuel demand was 1.4 percent below last year’s levels and it’s the third straight quarter of declines according to the American Petroleum Institute.
The EIA projects that for 2008, gasoline consumption is expected to decline by 0.3 percent. In particular, the summer (April through September) is expected to show a 0.4-percent decrease from last year. If you’re planning on hitting the road this summer, be prepared for sticker shock as regular retail gas prices are predicted to average $3.54 a gallon (up from $2.93 last summer) with some areas crossing $4.00.
With summer beyond the traditional time for road trips, it is no surprise that elevated fuel prices has lead to “staycations”—money-saving, stay-at-home vacations.
Another sign that people are changing their driving habits is the increase of public transportation use, which rose to its highest level in 50 years—10.3 billion trips in 2007, up 2.1 percent over the previous year. Americans are looking into alternative modes of transportation such as trolleys, trains, subways, and buses, which all showed a ridership increase, with the largest growth in major cities.
These fuel-consumption indicators are not surprising considering the rise in gas prices and slowing economy.
What steps have you taken, if any, to decrease your fuel consumption? Post your answers in the comments below.
To see what gas prices are in your area, see our average gas prices, which is updated weekly. Also, read our fuel saving tips and learn about alternative fuels in the Consumer Reports Guide to Driving Green.
—Liza Barth
Posted by: David | Apr 28, 2008 12:02:21 PM
Amid the high gas prices these days, a silver lining exists after all - with slight fewer cars on the road, less traffic. As for me, I am doing what I do when gas prices were low. I left off the gas paddle when I see a red stoplight ahead of me.
During my after work drive, I used to see a majority of the drivers racing toward the next red stoplight. Now, majority seem content to left up the gas. Exceptions will always be there. My most memorable event came when a driver of Altima Hybrid races in and out of the traffic to get to the next “red” stoplight, where the driver gained only a couple of car length ahead of steady drivers like me. But, I say majority of drivers practice gas saving technique.
Now, if only the behemoth SUVs get off the road, small car drivers like “yours truly” can finally get a better view of the road ahead.
Posted by: Michael | Apr 28, 2008 1:11:10 PM
"Sticker shock" at an average of $3.54 a gallon? I could only dream of having gas that cheap. Where I am, a short distance from the US border in Quebec, gas is the equivalent of $5.00 US a gallon.
Not surprisingly, small cars dominate the roads in the area, and large SUVs are almost as rare as exotic sports cars.
Posted by: John Robinson | Apr 28, 2008 3:36:26 PM
I'm 57. For the first time in 30 years I am riding to work 5 days a week in a shared van. I save $80 a week plus wear and tear on my 2001 Honda. Further, to tell the truth, for the first time in my life I acquired 5 speeding tickets in less than a year, which might have contributed as well. Still have my license though, all right.
Posted by: Mike | Apr 28, 2008 4:43:08 PM
I traded in a 2003 Chevy Silverado for a 2006 Honda Civic.
Posted by: michael T from NJ | Apr 28, 2008 8:02:07 PM
I try to plan my entire driving day ahead of time. each day i try to utilize a "loop-Route" and include a full daily list of all of my required stops including work. I try to loop with every short cut and the shortest possible distance between stops. I then park my car when i get home and try not to go out again for the rest of the day. this has helped me to stretch my tanks of fuel a little farther than they used to.
Posted by: Cale | Apr 29, 2008 1:43:00 AM
I'm riding my motorcycle every chance I get.
Posted by: Louis Fourie | May 2, 2008 8:18:45 AM
I wish the people here in South Africa would realise how much feul they waste and the polution they cause!
Posted by: Christopher Keveny | May 11, 2008 8:54:13 PM
I work 5 miles from where I live. I drive a V8 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor... Well, I dusted my bike off and just did a test ride to where I work. I will be taking that from now on. I need to lose a few Lbs anyway
Posted by: Tim | Jun 3, 2008 3:27:46 AM
I purchased a smart car. It gets about 2.5x the gas mileage as our other vehicle choices. Whoever needs to drive the farthest drives the smart. I'll ride a motorcycle in good weather. My office now allows working from home two days a week. Thats over 3,000 less miles driven and more than 50% less gas used on the miles we do drive. I figure our consumption this year will be at least 60% less than last year.
Posted by: Michael Brown | Jun 7, 2008 11:00:06 PM
Consumer Reports--Where are your ratings on gas-powered scooters? We are still waiting!
Posted by: Liza Barth | Jun 12, 2008 2:21:17 PM
Due to the overwhelming interest in motorcycles/scooters in our blog comments, we have created a discussion forum where you can continue to talk about buying a bike/scooter, mpg, safety, etc. Check out our new forum here: http://discussions.consumerreports.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=cr-0609fcaethan&tid=109
Posted by: JCB | Jun 19, 2008 9:56:28 AM
I'll add my request that CR do some testing and surveying of gas powered as well as electric Scooters. So many of them are made in China as are so many other things. How reliable are they and how easy is it to get parts when necessary? Which brands have some history and who are the new manufacturers that we might want to avoid? I've seen a lot more of these on the roads in the last few months.
Thanks
Posted by: Anita | Jun 29, 2008 1:46:12 AM
I assume people will drink beer less???
Posted by: James Gambrell | Oct 7, 2008 1:43:40 PM
I am glad that I am in college now I don't have to drive at all. I use to have to drive to work and everywhere else now that gas prices have went up I haven't had to drive at all. My home town Hendersonville was out of gas for like forever I'm glad that I didn't have to deal with all that stuff. I also feel sorry for the guy who sold his truck for a honda.
Posted by: DOUG GRAVUE | Oct 20, 2008 2:29:30 PM
WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE A MYSTERY TO MOST OF YOU? I DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES EA. WAY ON I71 SOUTHWEST OF CLEVELAND. WHEN I GET ON THE HIGHWAY I SET THE CRUISE TO ABOUT 63 MPH. I PASS NO ONE! THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60 IN THAT SECTION. IF WHAT I HEAR IS ACCURATE, THE AVG CAR GETS ABOUT 10-15% BETTER MPG @60 VS 70 AND OBVIOUSLY EVEN BETTER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. EVERYTIME I EXIT THE HIGHWAY, A NUMBER OF THE FOLKS THAT PASSED ME ALONG THE WAY DOING 70-75 ARE SITTING AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP! WE SHOULD REALIZE THAT WHEN CONSUMPTION HAS GONE DOWN(BASE ON GOVT. FIGURES)THEN PRICE GOES DOWN! HELLO! MCFLY! WHY CAN'T THE AVG DRIVER UNDERSTAND THAT SIMPLE EQUATION?
ALOT(MOST OF THE THOSE FOLKS ARE DRIVING F150S, SUV'S AND OTHER GAS HOGS)OF YOU FOLKS LOOK AT THE EPA CLAIMS OF 18 OR 20MPG ON THE ORIG. STICKER ON YOUR CAR WINDOW. THAT'S IF YOU DO THE SPEED LIMIT! MUST BE ALOT OF YOU THAT LOVE HIGH GAS PRICES? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND SUPPLY AND DEMAND 101! P.S. I GET ABOUT 35MPG ON THE FREEWAY, IN A BMW 325, PERHAPS BECAUSE I CARE...