“Get Around” High Gas Prices

You heard it right.  Get around high gas prices with “The Get Around.”

The Get Around is an electric car created by Brad Freeman of Carlsbad, CA.  The characteristics are as follows:

- It’s a 4 door hatchback

- Speeds reaching 65 mph

- Am/FM CD stero

- Sun Roof

- GPS Navigation

The Get Around uses a standard household 110 volt outlet to charge the car which lasts about 4-6 hours and off you go.  It even has a sun roof to catch some rays while cruising.  With the ability to go up to 60 miles on a single charge, the Get Around is not that bad to use for short distance driving.

PUMP N’GO is glad that small time inventors and entrepreneurs such as Brad Freeman are creating solutions to rampant high gas prices.  PUMP N’GO doesn’t mind “getting around” gas with The Get Around.

http://thegetaround.com/

 

Gas Tax Holiday Is “”the stupidest idea I ever heard.”

Gas Tax Holiday is “the stupidest idea I ever heard.”

Michael Novogratz, president of the Fortress Investment Group and the 317th richest man in America made that statement while being interviewed in a conference by the New York Times in reference to Hillary Clinton and John McCain’s solutions for the gas crisis.

With the ever so dwindling economy that the U.S. is facing, the prude investor relates the economic turmoil to the then dot-com bubble burst in the late 90’s.

“As the price of oil goes up, there’s got to be a green revolution. I think of what will be the next driver of the American economy, and it’s green energy. That’s a huge growth opportunity. It’s not about the pollution. It’s about the energy. Gas will go to $10 a gallon,” he said.  $10 a gallon?   PUMP N’GO wouldn’t be surprised if gas reached that magnitude.

With the ongoing fight for oil and the craziest prices we’ve seen so far in the U.S.A., one can only imagine that the solution to our dependency of oil relies on green technology.  We advocate going green whether it’s producing hybrids, bio-fuels, alternative technologies such as electric and solar.   By doing so, we’ll be doing this nation of ours and quite possibly the world a favor–creating breathing space for future generations.

The investor also talks about pollution and profits as being tied together which we don’t deny because the big oil companies are wreaking major profits every year from such claims.  Going green can also herald a new generation of technology that can possibly reduce a number of crisis that we face today such as oil, food shortages.  Going green is not just for PUMP N’GO, but it’s for everyone.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/only-greentech.html

http://www.fortressinv.com/

 

Gas Rises At $3.77

Gas rose to $3.77 a gallon in the United States as of today.   What caused this rise in price was a result in the options market where oil futures expired creating an uncertain future for crude.

Options allows investors to bet as to whether oil will rise or fall in the future(think speculation) thus making the price of crude oil go crazy.

With the sudden impact that the oil crises has created for the U.S. Economy and other nations, there’s seem to be no end in sight for skyrocketing oil prices except for a few notable theories.  Some predict that gas prices will peak around $3.90 or before Memorial Day.   Mike Lynch, president of Strategic & Economic Research says “I don’t think we’ll go much higher than that.”   Well Mike, we hope that you’re right, because if not, brace yourself for another ride on the rising oil train.

Read more below.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/oil-falls-as-options-expire-gas-prices/n20080515151709990024

http://www.energyseer.com/

 

Gas Tax Solution is No Real Solution; Adding Fuel to the Fire

Bush recently stated his concern for rising fuel costs though his sentiment and actions to curb these costs seemed rather lackadaisical.  At a recent conference, Bush attempted to charm his way out of answering questions relating to growing concern for rising gas prices & accused the reporter of “dragging him into the 08 Presidential Race” by questioning his plans and/or solutions to increasing fuel costs in comparison with McCain, Clinton and Obama’s policies.  As advocates of less fuel consumption we’re concerned by the president’s nonchalant approach as well as concerned with the presidential candidates’ potentially ill fated solution which is influenced by political motives.

 

Those of us who oppose the gas tax holiday do so for good reason.  There has been much scrutiny of what temporarily reducing gas prices could do.  A tax cut could cause a surge in demand enabling prices to rise at an even faster rate than they are now particularly during the summer months when demand is higher.  Truth be told, higher prices and speculation that prices will continue to rise in the future has in effect caused a drop in consumption.  For more than 6 consecutive weeks gas prices has risen and the trend will likely continue throughout the summer.

 

The U.S. consumes about 385 million gallons a day.  Americans only have themselves to blame for the massive consumerism that has landed us in the middle of a crisis.  For one, Americans have undeniably consumed more and more gas over the last decade thanks to our high demand for gas guzzlers.   Car company exec’s themselves have admitted the continual production of SUV’s and trucks is due to the existing demand.  Lastly, legislators have failed to create, impose or put into action any viable gas price solution over the years; rather they propose vague, half-hearted plans i.e. the Gas Tax Holiday.

 

If nothing is done now then our future is doomed with perhaps 10 dollar a gallon prices.  In 1992, former Senator Paul Tsongas may have foreseen today’s crises.  During his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination he proposed a 50-cent gas tax to control demand and fund research and development for alternative fuel though the bill was unanimously rejected.  At the time gas cost a whopping 1.04 a gallon- go figure.

 

Gas At $3.67 & Oil At $126

Towards the end of this week, gas and oil rose to new heights.  Nationwide gas in the USA is about $3.67 a gallon with some cities clocking at $4.00 a gallon.  And oil rose to a record of $126 a gallon.  Analysists foresee gas to go above $3.70 a gallon by the summer.

Recent events such as Venezuela having ties to Colombia’s militia rebel group called FARC caused the price hike for the commodities.  Apparently, the President of Columbia Hugo Chavez has been accused by the United States in supplying the FARC with weapons to combat the Colombian Govt.

There could be possible sanctions against Venezuela for their actions if the allegations are true.  Of course, there would be serious consequences in posing sanctions on such a country as we the U.S. receive a lot of oil from Venezuela such as oil being cut off from Venezuela for good.  Such an action would lead to more increase in gas prices and oil.

Still gas and oil prices don’t seem to be declining due to other factors such as weak dollar, inflation, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other calamities in Britain and Nigeria such as sabotage, striking on refineries.   It will take a much higher price in gas and oil to stir up trouble from the consumers as they may revolt by holding strikes, boycotting oil and gas companies, and forcing the Govt to regulate the price of gas.  Stay pumped!

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/gas-jumps-above-367-oil-passes-126-on/n20080509155109990042

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_Armed_Forces_of_Colombia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Ch%C3%A1vez

 

OIL PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Predictions, predictions, predictions!  That’s the word being hinted in the trading market for oil.  Oil as of now has reached a record of $123 a barrel and quite possibly, can reach $200 a barrel in two years based on predictions that Goldman Sacs made Tuesday about the numbers.

These predictions don’t seem to go away anytime soon.  Nations are dependent on gas to fuel their economy, yet the price we pay is based on speculation of “he said, she said” all because of high demands of oil, a weak dollar, a weak economy, turf wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, refinery strikes in Britain, and sabotage of such refineries in Nigeria and Iraq.   Events happen everywhere, every time.  That doesn’t mean investors should bet against them and have us pay the bill.

The investors are also to blame for their continued waging on oil commodities and not being fair with nations who need the oil to get by such as our own, the US OF A.  These investors need a safety net to hedge their bets against a so-called inflation cycle in America and a weak dollar.  That’s ashame.   What’s even worse, is having such a commodity being traded in these markets in the first place.  What ever happened to fair trading between oil nations?

The Govt even stated that gas should peak at $3.73 a gallon by June.  Is it going to be $3.73 a gallon next June?  PUMP N’ GO doesn’t think so.   It’s going to be more.

Even the stock market made higher gains despite the increase of oil.   That doesn’t surprise PUMP N’ GO.  Inside trading has a way of tweaking the numbers of how much companies will make or lose, and giving the rewards of such trading to the big investors such as those oil commodity traders.  And what do we get?  High prices for gas and other common living necessities.  We’ll keep you pumped for more news.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/oil-nears-123-on-200-oil-prediction/n20080506145909990047

http://www2.goldmansachs.com/

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/government-again-raises-estimates-on-oil/n20080506150709990002

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080506/wall_street.html

 

$2.99 A Gallon From Chrysler

As of today, until the 31st of May, Chrysler Motors announced that it will offer $2.99 a gallon for three years if consumers buy or lease a Chrysler car.

Here are additional requirements:  You must drive at least 12,000 miles per year to have Chrysler fit the bill. Every time you pay for gas at the pump using a Chrysler charge account card, Chrysler will bill you $2.99 and they will pay the rest.  It sounds like a good deal, but how many people drive 12,000 miles a year?  Considering the high price of gas and an economy that’s in turmoil, the general consumer is doing more to save, rather than spend even if that includes driving less.

Chrysler also suggested that a federal gasoline tax holiday for the summer is only a short term solution which is unusual for an automotive company to state.  Remember,  automakers are aligned with oil companies to produce cars that can take in a lot of gas which never improves mileage performance.  Maybe the Government ought to provide a set price for gas below $2.99 a gallon for life.?  Better yet, maybe Chrysler ought to make a high performance electric vehicle–that’s better than $2.99 a gallon of gas.

http://pumpngo.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

 

Bush + Iraq War + Foreign Policy = Bad Economy + Rising Gas Prices

          The latest joke going around goes:  My wife asked me to take her somewhere expensive, so I took her to a gas station.  That is a somewhat funny joke until you’re at the pump staring down 4.00 a gallon for 87 octane and the extra money in your pocket typically spent on other “fun” things now has to be drained just to fill your tank only to refill again in 3 to 5 days ( or more for the lucky ones). 

            Bush and his administration continue the focus on Iraq, corroding U.S. foreign policy thus neglecting the economical issues at home; this is something he has been doing for the better part of his two terms.  Due to the latter, our economy currently suffers through a recession and as the U.S. dollar falls, opportunistic foreign investors continue trading oil on the New York Mercantile market putting the U.S. consumer at the mercy of the traders.  Lately theres been speculation that gas could reach 6 even 10 dollars by next year! 

We’ve tried everything to improve fuel efficiency, haven’t we?  Solutions and quick fixes range from fuel additives you purchase at the local Kragen, Autozone or Pep Boys, nail polish (acetone), properly inflating tires, exhaust modifications and driving in neutral only to find the “solutions” are useless or perhaps add a mere 2 to 3 miles max per each gallon.  Utterly hopeless – the real solution???  Less gas consumption and alternative fuel vehicles. 

 

 

Crude Oil Passes $120 A Barrel

Crude oil passes $120.00 a barrel thus making other goods and services increase in prices.  The average cost of nationwide gas is at $3.61 a gallon.  Troy Green from AAA said prices for gas will most likely rise. “In some places, it’s already above $4.00 a gallon.”

With the economic turmoil that the United States faces and other countries, gas will most likely rise more within the months to come.  Further riots and attacks on oil refineries continue in Nigeria, Britain, and quite possibly Iraq since Kurdish rebels were attacked by the Turks.

Even the President of the U.S. said that gas “troubles me a lot” because it is “like a tax on the working people.”  He even suggested we drive away from oil imports, build more refineries, and increase supplies for the U.S. Consumers.  That’s a suggestion that many consumer advocates, American citizens, and PUMP N’GO have suggested to the Govt many times over.  He even said there’s no quick fix to this crisis.   PUMP N’ GO has many fixes for this complacent President who used to be a oil magnate himself and probably still is with his many oil investments overseas.

With a weak dollar in place, a recession, interests rate cuts, wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, the future outlook of gas seems dismal.  Americans will have to resort to driving less, buying hybrid efficient vehicles, electric vehicles, taking public transit, and lobbying the Congress to passing more mandates on fuel efficiency for automakers, and price controls on gas and oil within the marketplace to sustain economic prosperity for all Americans and future generations.

http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/oil-passes-120-gas-prices-slip-more-than/n20080505153709990041

http://www.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/ZipCode.woa/wa/route

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

http://www.house.gov/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24465000

 

Save On Gas Tips

With the ever increasing gas prices in the United States, one has to wonder how best to save on gas.  And how do we save on gas?  It all starts with how we drive, and maintain our vehicles.  Here are some practical gas and driving tips from Ernest Miles from Howtoadvice.com

ENGINE WARM-UP

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up… chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

3. Don’t start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Avoid “reving” the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don’t push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

HOW TO BUY GASOLINE

6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to “volume of measurement”.

7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which “seem” most beneficial.

8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first “click” of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY

9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you “nurse it along”. However, if you cause the engine to “bog down”, premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you’re on it.

GENERAL ADVICE

16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts “mechanical drag” on components, wearing them down prematurely. This “dragging” also demands additional fuel usage.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the “green light” all the way.

20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters… diminished air flow increases gas waste.

23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer’s specifications for maximum tire pressures.

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car’s body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater “steady speed” economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

EXTRA TIPS

Install pressure regulator valve (sold in auto parts stores)… Use graphite motor oil… Beware of oil additives, regardless of advertising claims… Add Marvel Mystery Oil into gas fill-ups… Investigate fuel/water injection methods and products… combine short errands into one trip… Use special gas additives to prevent winter freezing of gas lines… convert your V8 engine over to a V4 - no special kits needed!!!

We will have more tips in the near future.

http://www.howtoadvice.com/savinggas