Lutz: Cheap gas would be bad
Remember all the bravado that Bob Lutz unleashed when we got our first glimpse of the Volt back in early 2007? Lutz has been the car's biggest champion since then, but he's thinking that there could be some tough news coming soon for this kind of technology. While the Volt is not named in an interview with Lutz by the LA Times that was published last week (so don't go starting any rumors), Lutz was pretty clear-eyed about what the recent dip in gas prices could mean: "We may hate high fuel prices, but they've been driving us in the right direction when it comes to fuel economy. If we suddenly went to $1 or $1.50 a gallon, that would be really bad."
This is not a new topic, and we're in agreement with Maximum Bob on this one. We've written as much plenty of times, and we often refer back to this interview with David Cole where he talks about the benefits of an oil price floor for a barrel of oil. He suggested $40 or $45, but that was back in June 2007; more recent estimates I've heard from others put a reasonable limit at $60 or so. Whatever happens with oil prices, we can be pretty sure that a lot of old habits will return if gas keeps dropping. What will you change?
[Source: LA Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
ryan 10:15AM (10/13/2008)
Emissions don't care how cheap/expensive the gas/diesel is that goes into your tank.
I will continue riding my bike.
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PSILOVEU 5:25PM (10/13/2008)
My gasoline budget doesn't care how clean/dirty the emissions from my car are.
I will continue driving my small economy car from my suburban home to my job in the city, all the while attempting to avoid colliding with the suicidal bicyclists who ignore traffic laws and disrupt efficient traffic flow
Lad 2:43AM (10/14/2008)
Ever notice that the price of gasoline comes down just before a Presidential election when our President begs the prince in Saudi Arabia for more oil? And, don't worry Saudi Arabia will short the oil supply immediately after the election to drive prices back up!
ryan 8:34AM (10/14/2008)
PSILOVEU: I used to be an ignorant rage-driven maniac like you.. running bicyclists off the road while blaring my horn... thinking they had no idea what "the law" was. Turns out I was probably wrong, and they were actually in the right. Or so said my copy of "What Every Driver Must Know" complimentary of my local secretary of state.
I will say that I don't and would never consider riding a bicycle on main roads in America. You people are absolutely nuts, and dangerous. Over here in Japan, being that anyone under 18 has to rely on a bike for transportation (and many people over 18 choose to do so as well), cars have learned to coexist with their non-fossil fueled 2 wheel companions. No horns, fingers, or rude gestures.
Keep in mind that most people who bike have driven/still drive a car in addition to bicycling. They aren't the desperado law-breaking, peace disrupting idiots that you make them out to be.
Back on topic, it would be unfortunate if gas were to get cheap again. Americans have really short memories, and would jump into hulking trucks again in no time. The Volt would probably fizzle out. Only time will tell, but I am placing my bets on fuel (gas/diesel) not ever getting to be as cheap as it used to be.
chetjan 4:55PM (10/16/2008)
same here- its much more enjoyable too to rid a bike
ryan 10:44PM (10/17/2008)
I actually just drove for the first time in over a month last night... and hated it. I couldn't stand the red light races, green light jackrabbit starts, weaving in and out of traffic... and whatnot.
I would postulate that driving a car takes a MEASURABLE amount of years off of your life. That shit is unbelievably stressful. Driving a 2000lb+ piece of metal at 40mph, with people doing the same thing from the opposite direction, all only being separated by a line and half a meter... or less in many cases here in Japan. You stare death in the eye the entire time you are driving. You just forget that fact after you get used to it.
Well, to wrap up my rant, I just want to say that I will continue to ride my bike and make sure that my job is always located as to where I can do so.
rsbell 2:13PM (10/13/2008)
@ryan:
Unfortunately, you are in the minority. Most people are more concerned with their immediate experience: the money in their pocket. "Big picture" thinking doesn't apply to most people.
I suspect the emergency OPEC meeting on November 18th will go a long way towards cutting production and keeping the price of oil high.
Either way, I'm keeping my Aptera reservation...
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ryan 8:44AM (10/14/2008)
It is unfortunate that people don't get the big picture. That is partly why this whole financial mess is upon us. People rely on the system and the status quo to move them through life. They don't actually think about anything, they just do what they are expected to do... sad really. They are like the frog in the pot.
tankd0g 11:15AM (10/13/2008)
I'm already back to flooring it at every opportunity.
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John Rowell 11:06AM (10/13/2008)
Gas prices won't keep dropping for long. They'll be up higher than ever in a few short months. They do this every year. The green options are out there - bicycle, bus - but most people aren't comfortable changing their lifestyle.
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Oblio_A 5:31PM (10/13/2008)
Gas prices were temporarily lowered so Ford can move its remaining 2008 F150's.
Hank 11:44AM (10/13/2008)
I agree, oil is not down over the long term. In fact, some industry insiders fear that after a bottoming out, there will be even greater spike. China, India and other emerging markets aren't going anywhere, the global demand will still be there, and increasing.
Only the short-sighted see this as a time to return to gas-guzzling and a lessening of the need for development of ever more efficient technologies.
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Throwback 11:49AM (10/13/2008)
John most people have changed their lifestyle due to high gas prices. Gas consumption has dropped steadily this year, new car sales have tanked and the cars that are selling are relatively fuel efficient. I live in rural America, you know, the area between NY and California far from major cities. Bus service in these areas is sporadic at best, biking sounds nice but it is unrealistic for most rural residents.
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Kevin 12:05PM (10/13/2008)
People will switch back to bad habits if the options are presented to them... of course! But does the world NEED more 14mpg SUVs and pickups? No. Should every Tom, Dick, or Harry be allowed to go out and buy a 5000-6000 pound vehicle just because he has a driver's license? Again, no.
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Hoth 8:44PM (10/14/2008)
What the hell gives you the idea that you (or anyone else) should be able to decide what I should be allowed to drive?
Kevin 9:06PM (10/14/2008)
The government decides what you are "allowed" to drive.
You can't drive a bus just because you feel like it. You can't drive an 18-wheeled rig just because you feel like it. I don't know where you live, but in many places you can't even drive a motorcycle unless you have a specific license.
Hell, you can't even drive a car just because you feel like it. They all require a license.
Any in the cases of the larger vehicles I mentioned, those licenses require special training, lots of experience, and are expensive. If someone is willing to go through all that effort, training, and trouble (and expense), then they are welcome to drive a 6000 pound SUV.
Luke 12:06PM (10/13/2008)
Throwback,
I also live between NY and LA. In central Illinois, in fact. I ride my bike to work -- I just chose to live 2.5 miles from my white-collar job when I moved here.
I do agree those who make food for a living really do need those big machines, and they're welcome to the fuel that my lifestyle-change has made available. Especially since I eat more (and better) now that I get regular exercise. But it seems to me that people who do white-collar work really should opt to live close to work, during their next major life-change.
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Brn 3:21PM (10/13/2008)
"I just chose to live 2.5 miles from my white-collar job when I moved here."
That's about how far I was from work when I moved here. My job has moved five times since then. If I moved every time my job did, I'd invest in a Winnebago.
Cellien 12:23PM (10/13/2008)
I still plan on buying a Fiesta! I love the Volt, but the price for me is too high for a commuter car. By the time this comes out, I'm guessing gas will be at all time highs again anyways.
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Nemoudeis 12:47PM (10/13/2008)
Stating the obvious, but still: fuel prices are falling because demand is cratering, and while demand initially began to fail because of high fuel prices, it is now the increasingly dire OVERALL economic conditions that are driving the reduction in fuel demand.
In short, gas is cheaper because people have less money to spend on gas. If gas falls down to the $1-1.50 range, it will be because things have gotten so apocalyptic out there that we're all living in Hoovervilles and bartering chickens and cigarettes for our daily needs.
In such an environment people won't be avoiding EV's because ICE cars are more cost-effective; they'll be doing it because nobody will be buying ANY cars. Period.
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