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I always wondered why gas costs so much elsewhere

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by tasker109, May 30, 2008.

  1. tasker109

    tasker109 New Member

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    NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Gasoline prices in the United States, which have recently hit record highs, are actually much lower than in many countries. Drivers in some European cities, like Amsterdam and Oslo, are paying nearly 3 times more than those in the U.S.

    The main factor in price disparities between countries is government policy, according to AirInc, a company that tracks the cost of living in various places around the world. Many European nations tax gasoline heavily, with taxes making up as much as 75 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline, said a spokesperson for AirInc.

    In a few Latin America and Middle-East nations, such as Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, oil is produced by a government-owned company and local gasoline prices are kept low as a benefit to the nation's citizens, he said.

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    I think I heard on television the other day that the average federal and state tax on fuel is 11%.
     
    #1 tasker109, May 30, 2008
  2. benw123

    benw123 Junior Member

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    You wouldn't believe how expensive it is here in the UK! Our government adds VAT (like US sales tax) plus fuel duty, which both account for around two-thirds of the cost of fuel. It is absolutely shameful, but moves are afoot to fight back - a staged protest took place in London this week, with loads of trucks lining all the major routes to draw attention to the problem (and no doubt spending loads of money on fuel in doing so).

    I've holidayed in the States on eight separate occasions and seen the price rise over the years. Some of the rentals we've run would financially ruin me if I owned them here, but even at $4 a gallon, from this side of the pond it looks like good value!
     
    #2 benw123, May 30, 2008
  3. tasker109

    tasker109 New Member

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    i saw those reports this week ben. thats what clued me in. i just never knew why it was so high. i heard the truckers were going on a sit down strike to protest. what happened? they probably just wasted their time eh? our truckers tried that a few weeks ago but not too many participated because if you work for a company, they would fire you if you did and if you were independent you had to stay on the road to make your money.
     
    #3 tasker109, May 30, 2008
  4. 4G63

    4G63 I quit boosting

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    i've read an article about it and i kinda agreed. it says countries in europe have much better public transportation than in the US and the funding comes from the gas tax.. while most american depends on their own cars for commuting so the government needs less money for public transportation than those in europe. and other countries have better medical benefits which part of its funding comes from gas tax....
     
    #4 4G63, May 30, 2008
  5. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    As we enter "Peak Everything" (oil, water, energy, food, etc.) look for fuel prices to stay high to support general needs. Germany's electricity rates are ≥$0.30 kilowatt hour. High compared to the US, but then Germany realizes it has few resources and has invested heavily in photovoltaics and conservation to support homeowners and apartment dwellers. Germany has a very strong pre- and recycling program. Highways are increasingly lined with PV panels. While the US continues along "free and easy" never giving a thought to the long term or most cost effective.
     
    #5 skruse, May 30, 2008
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