Before you run out for that hybrid, read this first

Wired News: Hybrid Mileage Comes Up Short

But after a few months of commuting to his job in Cincinnati, Blackshaw's hybrid euphoria vanished as his car's odometer revealed that the gas mileage he was hoping for was only a pipe dream. Honda's Civic Hybrid is rated by the EPA to get 47 miles per gallon in the city, and 48 mpg on the highway. After nearly 1,000 miles of mostly city driving, Blackshaw was getting 31.4 mpg.

Related article:
For Speeders, Hybrids Suck Gas

Toyota responded to customer queries by distributing a four-page pamphlet to its dealers in April. The document, which explains hybrid fuel-efficiency and offers tips on boosting gas mileage, is available upon request from dealers, according to Toyota spokeswoman Nancy Hubbell.

Toyota engineer Dave Hermance said that weather, driving conditions and driver habits can cut fuel-efficiency by up to 30 percent. Hermance said drivers who slowly roll through intersections using "California stops" are decreasing their mileage. "If you don't stop, you don't get the free energy of regenerative braking."

Gas Price Primer

Primer on Gasoline Prices

Not sure what influences can cause price fluctuations? Then click the link above and start the learning process.

Primer on Gasoline Sources and Markets

More info to help one learn about the gasoline market and sources.

Senate Report on how prices are really set

You can trust them, they're the govt and are here to help us. ;p HTML front page that leads to PDF documents.

Here is a link that will take you directly to the PDF file that reports how they are set.

So you're reading the stuff on oil and gas and terms like barrels of oil are being thrown around. But how many gallons of oil fit in a barrel? Answers here, Petroleum Quick Stats

I mentioned hybrids, but what exactly is going on for Developments in US Alternative Fuel Markets? Click here to learn more

Once you are sold on the concept, you may ask what alternative fuel vehicles are availabe. Click here for the report, circa 2000

At this time, you may recall the whole ethanol thing that started a long time ago, fizzled and then came back in the 70s. Here is a link to a report on that as well.

Break out the hybrids!

High oil prices here to stay: OPEC - News - www.theage.com.au

Time to save up for one of those new hybrids coming out soon. There are some available now, but it appears the market will be a bit more competive in the near future. Besides, I'll have to pay off FFS and SRS before I can afford another vehicle.

Want to know where we get our crude oil from? Click here