You think it can’t get any worse, but every trip to the gas station you see a higher price posted on the sign. A tank now costs you a ridiculous amount of money. Is there a way to counterattack? Many Americans are quickly realizing that their first line of defense is getting the best possible fuel economy.
The excessive consumption of gasoline by the United States has many negative consequences. It not only serves to quickly drain your bank account, but also the wealth of the entire nation. By being a net exporter of oil, the United States is essentially depleting its national treasury by sending hundreds of billions of dollars abroad. A leading financial expert recently claimed that it was the greatest transfer of wealth the earth has ever seen.
Most associated with the oil patch don’t see things changing. Peak oil is upon us with most of the easily accessible reserves being exploited. The new supply must come from very remote and difficult environments. Many include politically sensitive areas like Anwar and the intercontinental shelf.
Exploration in those places is very expensive. The proven reserves reside mainly in places that imply international political risk. Many of America’s entanglements arose from the need for a free flow of oil. Even with an increased supply of crude oil, our nation’s refineries are inadequate to meet the growing demand. It’s been more than thirty years since a new one was built.
The burning of fossil fuels also releases massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The more carbon-based fuels we burn, the worse it gets. Inefficient and low mileage vehicles are big contributors to this phenomenon called global warming. So with all these problems, are there solutions?
The increase in efficiency through increased mileage is universally recognized as a positive step. Many options are currently available on the market. The simplest is to make the car smaller. Smaller cars obviously get better mileage. Hybrids that increase efficiency via a rechargeable battery are also available.
Other cutting-edge solutions are on the horizon. One is a hydrogen fuel cell. With this technology, it is theoretically possible for us to run our cars on water. If not entirely, others are exploring mixing this technology with that of the combustion engine to increase mileage by as much as fifty percent.
Whatever the solution, the time has come. With skyrocketing gas prices, most of us have no choice. There are many options to explore to find the best possible fuel economy. Your bank account and the planet depend on it.