gas prices are too high

How Do I Lower Gas Prices?

The key to lowering gas prices is to reduce the demand for gas. Here are some easy ways to do this:

  1. Walk more. Rather than driving to the store around the corner, take a few minutes and walk there instead. It's good exercise, saves on gas, and it's better for the environment.
  2. Invest in a bicycle. It's just like walking, except you can get further with less effort. A good bike costs less than $150, which is a one-time investment. When you compare that to the recurring cost of gas, the bicycle can pay for itself in a month or less.
  3. Take public transit. If there is a bus, train or subway system at your disposal, make use of it whenever you can. A bus ticket costs less than driving, and you don't have to deal with the stress of being behind the wheel. If you end up on a train or a subway, you're also likely to get where you're going much faster than if you were driving.
  4. When all else fails, carpool. If there are 3 or 4 of you going to the same place from roughly the same area, it is much more gas- and cost-efficient for you to all take the same car there than it is for each of you to drive yourself. If you and 3 friends rotate who drives, that means you're each using 1/4 the gas you normally would.
  5. If you must drive, don't speed. Most cars are at their optimal gas efficiency at 88km/h (55mph). Driving faster than that increases your gas usage, and it's not a linear increase; the difference between 100km/h and 120km/h could be 50%. The slower you go on the highway, the less gas you use, and the less frequently you'll have to fill your tank. Also...
  6. Drive a small vehicle. Big trucks are called gas guzzlers for a reason: they use lots of gas. It costs a small fortune to fill the gas tank, and you still can't get as far on a single tank as someone driving a Civic. Trade in your big truck for a small car, and if you need more cargo space and passenger room then get a station wagon instead. In most cases, it will be enough. Besides, why use $100 of gas when $40 will do?
  7. Contact the gas companies directly. Tell them you are upset with the high gas prices, and that you will minimize your gas consmuption until the problem is fixed. They are unlikely to take one such message seriously, but when they start rolling in by the tens of thousands they may start taking notice. Links to the contact pages of most major gas companies in North America may be found on the contacts page.
  8. Spread the word about this site. The more people who know about this website, the more people are likely to take action. Share it with friends and family, call or email your local radio station, and post a link on your blog; every little hit counts.

Fringe Benefits

Beyond lowering the price of gas, there are a few personal benefits to taking the steps outlined above:

  1. Walking and biking are both good exercise. The more you do them, the better shape you will be in. Walking is calming, and you'll probably start losing weight, too.
  2. Nature is nice, and walking outside lets you enjoy it. When you're in your car with the windows rolled up you don't really get to experience nature at all.
  3. The less you use your car, the less you spend on gas and maintenance. That means more money in your pocket to do the things you want to do.
  4. The more you get used to cutting down on your driving, the more you'll save when gas prices get lower. After all, if you're already saving money and feeling better by driving less, why go back to driving more again just because it costs less?
  5. Taking public transit gives you more time to yourself, since you don't have to focus on the road. You can read, write, work, or just sit back and relax; the time is yours again!
  6. Whatever your view on global warming, the fact is cars pollute. The less everyone drives, the less polluted the air is, and the easier it is to breathe.