Californians Turn To Hybrids To Combat Rising Gas Prices

The rising cost of gasoline is forcing some Californians to rethink their driving strategies. The state has the unenviable title of having the highest average gas price in the country, in part because the Golden State requires different gasoline formulations to reduce air pollution generated by tailpipe emissions. Last week, the average price of regular gasoline climbed over $4 per gallon for the first time, with no end to the price increases in sight.

That is prompting many drivers, who had previously driven larger cars and SUVs, to turn in those vehicles for more efficient hybrids. Others are taking public transportation, and those with no other options are scaling back on personal expenditures to cover the rising cost of fuel.

Car dealerships are also reporting that they're selling fewer trucks, SUVs and vans since the price of gasoline began to rise. More drivers are turning to more fuel-efficient six-cylinder sedans and small cars in an effort to control their operating costs.

According to a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, respondents reported being most stressed out by the rising cost of fuel, and nearly half are having difficulty paying the increased costs. The price of gasoline beat out employment, health care costs, home foreclosures, credit card payments and other personal debt, rising food costs, and stock market losses as American consumers' top concern.

The cost of fuel is of such concern that Republican presidential candidate John McCain has proposed a Federal tax holiday on gasoline from Memorial Day to Labor Day to help relieve the burden. The Federal gasoline tax is currently 18.4 cents per gallon for unleaded gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. Analysts warn that reducing Federal fuel taxes may encourage consumption, which is counterproductive to finding a long-term solution to the rising cost of fuel.

Source: PhysOrg, via AFP
Source: AFP

Photo Credit: Kelly K.