Fuel use, let the truth be told

[jimfoo]

An interesting statistic I ran into, about the "green" state out west.

California is 35x Less Populous than China
Truly an amazing statistic, via Wired. According to the California Energy Commission, the state with its 37 million people uses more gasoline and diesel than any other country on Earth except the US as a whole. That's more than India with its 1.1 billion people. More than China with its 1.3 billion (California is 2.8% of China's pop.). So while demand has been increasing in China and everybody's talking about that, they forget to look at absolute numbers: 20 billion gallon of gasoline and diesel are used each year in California, 6.7 billion gallons more than in 1988.

[rallydiesel]

That's nuts.

[jtanguay]

no wonder they're so strict on their vehicles... too bad GM didn't keep the EV1, because that car could have changed history?

just look at the kind of cars they drive in china vs california.  big suv's vs some small little cart or car.  even with an suv you'd be limited to where you could take it in some places over in china... it is jam packed there  :lol:

[jimfoo]

I bet half the gas is used just idling in traffic.

[gigaz2]

I really really can't understand the big suv or truck thing.

the rest of the world accomplishes exactly the same tasks, with more safety and comfort, with half the weight, power and consumption. (just look at a golf   )

imagine if every car in the US had half the weight and power (and better aerodynamics).. everybody would go at the same speed, accelerate at the same rate, but use less than half the gas!
those cars would still be too big in the eyes of the rest of the world

[Jettadoor]

I really really can't understand the big suv or truck thing.

the rest of the world accomplishes exactly the same tasks, with more safety and comfort, with half the weight, power and consumption. (just look at a golf   )

The reasoning seems to be that as soon as you have one or two children you need an SUV or a minibus! Most of the time they are being used by only one or two people!

Back in Europe countless families make do with a normal car or a 'station-wagon', like we used to be able to get over here before the SUV became the 'in' thing.

The big three have downsized most of their vehicles over the years; if the SUV hadn't become so popular, north americans would probably be driving smaller cars. That's all due to the makers' advertising campaigns pushing their most profitable items more than the most economical ones. Hopefully, this may change as gas prices continue to hike and more economical vehicles come on line.

One of my favorite bands, Cake, has a few tunes about californian traffic- "Long Line Of Cars" ,"Too Much Carbon Monoxide", for instance  

[gigaz2]

I totally agree with that, around here I also see the connection between a kid and the immediate need for a minibus, but still can't understand why.

primal need to protect the offspring.. :roll:

[fdnyguy]

Well, at least in the States, we were spoiled for ages. Europe paying 4-7 US dollars a gallon when we were paying 97 cents. So with good marketing, SUV's are (were?) the rage.

Now the chickens have come home to roost, and those who laughed at my 89 Jetta wish they had the mileage I get (Though I'd like more:) ).

Now with ULSD in the States, and what it costs to make it, I do not see diesel ever being cheap again. And I  don't have to tell anyone here that even with the higher costs of diesel, it pays for itself in mileage.

But gassers can't (or won't) comprehend that. Their loss.

On a related note, I took a 2009 Jetta TDI for a test drive yesterday. BIG BIG difference than my 89 (imagine!...lol)

Gonna take a bath on my F-250 if I trade it in, so I may just keep it. And keep the 89 cuz I want to. Should be an interesting ride to Canada for the campout at Ronbeau in a few weeks with the 89.

Stay well.