[Healeys] California Drivers

[Oudesluys]

Hallo Len,
Two weeks ago I made a 2500 miles round trip (mainly going by back 
roads, some times dirt tracks) from San Diego, Julian, Joshua tree park, 
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Nevada/Arizona desert&mountains, Quartzsite and 
back to San Diego. Somewhere in Arizona deep down in the country I paid 
$3,55/gallon. One US gallon is 3,55 liters, I think, hence $1/liter. We 
pay around Euro 185/liter which compares to $2,40/liter or $8,50/gallon.
I know petrol in the US has always been dirt cheap, hence the gas 
guzzlers, and any substantial increase will hurt.
Cheers,
Kees Oudesluijs


Op 24-2-2013 0:14, Len and/or Marge Hartnett schreef:
> Kees:  Having lived and driven in Europe a couple of times for a total 
> of about 6 years, I am well aware of the price of gasoline there.  
> However, I am talking California, USA.  You may be used to paying the 
> high price, we are not.
>
> California has a base price of gasoline that is higher than most other 
> states (specialized blends).  If stocks get low, for whatever reason- 
> as they are now due to refinery maintenance - the result is a price 
> jump (supply and demand?).  Another trigger is price speculation in 
> the futures market.  Add those to the fluctuating price of a barrel of 
> oil.  Now add in the California law that prohibits California from 
> importing gasoline from other states because they do not have the same 
> blends.  Demand can be high but supply can be limited and there is no 
> source to supplement our supply.
>
> People that must drive are not prepared to add these increases to 
> their budgets.  Gas prices have spiked between 57 and 59 cents over 
> the past 30 days.  The price in Los Angeles is 11.3 cents more than 
> last week and 57 cents higher than last month.  In San Francisco, the 
> price is $4.22 a gallon.  A week ago, it was $4.08 and 56 cents more 
> than what motorists were paying a month ago. Compare that to $3.20 per 
> gallon in Wyoming and Montana and you see why Californians get upset.
>
> Granted, there is a major difference between the price of your 
> gasoline compared to ours.  However, historically, it has been that 
> way for a long time and it is a shock for us when prices take such 
> major jumps at the pump in such a short period of time.
>
> (I won't make any snide comments about you having an Arizina (sp) in 
> the Netherlands.  Gas in our Arizona is $3.69/gallon)    ;-)
>
> (The Other) Len
> Vacaville, CA, USA
> 1967 AH 3000 MkIII, HBJ8L39031