As we all know, they NEVER come down . . . . But here in the U.S. they have! A Year ago I was paying $3.90 for a gallon of Diesel, back in 2008 when the shit hit the fan I was paying $5.08 a gallon in California. But today the price is $2.44 a gallon, which by my reconing is 60% cheaper than a Year ago and for the first time in my memory, Diesel is actually cheaper than regular petrol here Has the price come down at all back on Blighty ?
Oh, as an aside . . . I note that Airfare hasn't come down at all and considering that Fuel is the biggest cost I am a little bit miffed about that!
Lowest petrol price around here is £1.079-litre
I think it did get up to about £1.40-litre at one time.
But most of the cost of our fuel is tax.
(note,US gallon = 3.78 litres, IMP gallon - 4.54 litres)
I live near Annapolis and work near Washington DC so fuel prices are always "the talk of the town" because of the political implications.
RB is right, in July of 2008, gasoline hit an all time national high of just over $4 per gallon (at that time) & California had many stations actually selling out at well over $5 bucks a gallon at the peak but by November, it was back to $1.85 around here which = 3 bucks in California!. Then it moved up and down by .50 cents till last July when it began a serious drop.
It seems though, that the oil producers in the Middle East didn't like that Canada and the US had raised production via oil shale and new technologies to develop reserves and raised production to drive down the price, shutting down many of those "new" ventures due to the low return on their investments.
Around here, the cost is hovering around $2.40 or so. Typically in the US, diesel is more expensive by 15-20% because...as the gas companies say, there is less demand so they don't produce as much, driving the unit price higher. I never bought that story since it takes less refining to make it but what do I know?
I know that historically, we have been blessed with inexpensive fuel but my personal fear is that's only based on the worlds reserve currency being the US dollar. If that changes, we're going to be royally screwed my friends!
I remember back in the old days when the valve was at the pump and we often drained the hoses if we rode up to closed station at night. Time consuming to drain into a soda bottle then pour into the bikes tank but it's what you had to do if you didn't want to push! Now the valve is in the handle so no more doing that!
jeffk
Current:
My VStrom 1000 K7
Stock bikes: a purple 74 RD350,72 H1,1975 GT550,1975 H2 750 triple (purple of course), 73 CB350 gave 2 Kerry Modified: H2B,82 Yam 650Turbo@18PSI, 75 GT550,75- H1To-Restore:'72 H1,'75 H1, 1974 GT750 Last COMPLETE: 1975 S1
It is a bit of a releif to get a break on US gas prices finally, there is a lot of oil in the Mainland, Texas, Canada and Alaska.........it is somewhat understandable to keep some in reserve for the future, as everything plastic, medical equipment, whatever is derived from oil..........they are slow to build refiniries here in the US........and the empires we have built in the middle east, why not keep some of that here
Well, it's very nice to be able to go to the local Airport and get some 100LL leaded AVGAS for $5.60 a gallon (In cans for off road purposes only ).......Close to the Sunoco 260 we used to run when the H2 was built........mix that with some 93 unleaded (and yes it has up to 10% Ethenol)......the bike loves it and it smells like a day at the drag strip...........I hate modern gasoline, it stinks, rots your tank, attracts water, produces less BTU's due to ethanol and sucks.......it's also the destroyer of small engines and boat motors (fine in cars)
Speaking of that nasty smell....I remember going to Acapulco Mex back in the '80s where we rented a jeep for the trip and that same nasty smell every time I fueled it. It looked like tar and smelled worse....I should have known that it was only be a matter of time before that would be considered gasoline in the US!
jeffk
Current:
My VStrom 1000 K7
Stock bikes: a purple 74 RD350,72 H1,1975 GT550,1975 H2 750 triple (purple of course), 73 CB350 gave 2 Kerry Modified: H2B,82 Yam 650Turbo@18PSI, 75 GT550,75- H1To-Restore:'72 H1,'75 H1, 1974 GT750 Last COMPLETE: 1975 S1
A Year ago I was paying $3.90 for a gallon of Diesel, back in 2008 when the shit hit the fan I was paying $5.08 a gallon in California. But today the price is $2.44 a gallon, which by my reconing is 60% cheaper than a Year ago and for the first time in my memory, Diesel is actually cheaper than regular petrol here 
).......Close to the Sunoco 260 we used to run when the H2 was built........mix that with some 93 unleaded (and yes it has up to 10% Ethenol)......the bike loves it and it smells like a day at the drag strip...........I hate modern gasoline, it stinks, rots your tank, attracts water, produces less BTU's due to ethanol and sucks.......it's also the destroyer of small engines and boat motors (fine in cars) 
