The Price of Gas - It’s Rising

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The American economy has suffered many financial blows in the recent years, but none have such a drastic and heavy effect on the average American than the rising gas prices. A solution to the Gas Crisis, a new and formidable crisis involving the high cost for gasoline powered transportation, must have widespread results across American commuters to either increase the efficiency of drivers, drastically lower gas prices, or provide alternate modes of transportation, consequently allowing for American commuters to be able to efficiently transport themselves at a moderate price. Gas prices are extremely high with respect to the overall timeline of gas prices, and expected to increase greatly. The average American drives 13,746 miles per year (“Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group”). At the time of this report, the average price per gallon (across America) is $3.707 (“AAA’s Daily Fuel Guage Report”). The average American passenger car MPG, or miles driven per gallon, in 2008 is 22.6 miles per gallon (“Table 4-23: Average Fuel Efficiency of U.S. Passenger Cars and Light Trucks“). Using simple mathematics, one can find that, if gas prices and average miles per gallon remain static, the average American would be spending $2,254.71 per year on gas. That’s almost 5% of the average American house hold income (“Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group”). These numbers are only valid if the gas prices remain static, however there is an unfortunately high chance that they will continue to increase in the future. Yes, the average MPG will also increase, however at a slower rate than the increase in price of gas per gallon. With the current conflict in Libya and in much of the Middle East, the limit to which gas prices can ... ... middle of paper ... ...le&node=&contentId=A16228-2002Jul16¬Found=true> “AAA’s Daily Fuel Guage Report”, Oil Price Information Service; AAA. N.p., 6 April 2011, n.d. . “Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group”, Federal Highway Administration, N.p., 6 April 2011, 4 April 2011. . “How much does the Average American Make? Breaking Down the U.S. Household Income Numbers“, FedUpUSA, Stephanie, 6 April 2011, 7 January 2010. . “Table 4-23: Average Fuel Efficiency of U.S. Passenger Cars and Light Trucks”, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, N.p., 6 April 2011, n.d. .

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