There is Something that Can Be Done About Rising Fueling Costs

The first gasoline-fueled automobile dates back to 1885, when Karl Friedrich Benz invented the gasoline-fueled car in Germany. However, it wasn't until the invention of the Ford Model T automobile in 1908 that United States citizens discovered that owning a quality vehicle was within their budget, and within their reach. Little did Henry Ford or Karl Friedrich Benz know the world's obsession with independent transportation would lead to a dependence on gasoline, and that this dependence would grow exponentially in the decades to follow. Today, this learned dependence on gasoline to power the world's automobiles has led to a record high in gasoline prices that has proved far too costly for the typical American family to afford. Similarly, the rising cost of gasoline is having a detrimental effect on industries such as farming and trucking, where the high cost of fueling greatly affects profit margins. While there are many possible solutions to the increasing global problem of gasoline consumption, lowering this consumption through alternate fueling methods will prove to be the only effective means of lowering the damaging effects these prices have on the American people's pocketbook.

In order to address the problem of increasing gasoline prices however, we must first understand what it is that creates these high prices. Worldwide, gasoline prices are based upon the cost of a barrel of crude oil. Today, the price of a single barrel of crude oil tends to fluctuate in price, with highs climbing ever higher. Nancy Pelosi notes that the current price of oil continues to rise and has reached prices in excess of $119.00 per barrel. The rise in crude oil prices indicates an inevitable rise in the price of gasoline per gallon at the pump, because these rising crude oil prices are compounded by the cost of refining the crude oil into gasoline. Illustrative of this increase is a graph displayed on the Energy Information Administration web page that shows the weekly United States retail gasoline prices beginning in October 17, 2005. Although the graph shows some declines in prices during the later months of both 2005 and 2006, it ultimately shows a $0.80 increase in the price of gasoline between the graph's commencement date in 2005 and the ending date of April 17, 2008. This increase is also demonstrated by Nancy Pelosi who shows a $2.06 increase in gas prices since January 22, 2001 to April's average price of $3.53 per gallon.

The dependence on gasoline for vehicle fuel and the increase of gasoline prices has proved detrimental to the American budget. Although the United States census recorded an increase in the "real median household income... between 2005 and 2006," which reaches $48,200, the extra income is being used to maintain the operation of individual and family transportation (U.S. Census Bureau). For example, let us assume that the average vehicle gas tank holds fifteen gallons of gas and goes approximately twenty-seven miles per gallon. The current price to fill up the fifteen-gallon tank is $3.53 per gallon or $52.95 per tank compared to the approximate $22.05 per tank in 2005. The difference in fueling prices between 2005 and 2008 is approximately $30.90 per gallon (Energy Information Administration).

At this point, even if a cut back on the use of gasoline is initiated, the price at the pump will remain the same as long as the price of a barrel of crude oil remains unchanged. However, because of the rule of supply and demand, if the American people significantly lowered their need for foreign oil, the demand for it would decrease, and the price per barrel would follow suit. The question is, is that a viable solution? Do Americans just need to cut back on their gasoline use? The answer is a very affirmative no. While cutting back on fuel would clean up the environment and keep gasoline money in the pockets of the American driver's, it is an unrealistic expectation that Americans will be able to, or be willing to, implement mass cut-backs in car and gasoline use. Instead, we must look to other avenues for a solution.

Many people believe that mass transit in cities is an acceptable solution to the issue of gas prices. While this solution sounds promising, it faces a very large hindrance, America's obsession with a personal automobile. In explaining American's fascination with their cars, Harrigan notes:

The automobile is the personification of human nature at its most adventurous, questing and dreamy. You step into your car, your stir the engine to life with a
simple twist of your hand, you propel yourself and your machine forward with a commanding flew of your right foot on the accelerator petal (qtd. in "The Fast and the Furious: Americans, Their Cars, and the Stories That Go With Them,"80).

It is this feeling of empowerment and independence that keeps many people from taking public transportation, such as busses, trains, and subways. In addition, the utter inconvenience and discomfort of mass transit also inhibits the public's willingness to relinquish their personal vehicles. Another problem with the idea that public transportation such as busses, which consume gasoline at an alarming rate, will ease the crunch in the American budget goes back to the price of each barrel of crude oil; as the price continues to climb, so too will the fare to ride the bus.

However, there is a real solution to the problem of rising gas prices, and contrary to popular belief it's not hydroelectricity or biofuel, it's the Air Car. Guy Negre, a man from France, invented the Air Car. It offers a promising decrease in the need for gasoline fuel in automobiles in exchange for a vehicle powered by compressed air. This car effectively eliminates a persons need to pay high prices at the gas pump just to drive their children to school or go to work. The Air Car, which had its noble beginnings in India, is scheduled start production for consumers in the United States sometime between the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 (Sullivan, "Air-Powered").

The Air Car offers American drivers an inexpensive mode of transportation while offering relief from inflated gas prices. According to Matt Sullivan, consumers can purchase the new car for approximately $17,800, which is less expensive than the popular Toyota Prius, which can cost up to $25,000 ("Air-Powered"). Although purchasing a new vehicle may sound a bit extreme, when compared to the price a typical American family will spend on gasoline a year, the initial investment is worth it.

The price to fill the Air Car is also easier on American's wallets. Moteur Development International, the developers of Air Car, says "it should cost around $2.00 to fill the car's carbon-fiber tanks with 340 liters of air at 4350 psi" (qtd. in Sullivan, "World's"). Another positive aspect of the Air Car is its "fuel" efficiency. Sullivan notes that the car can "travel as far as 1000 miles and up to 96 miles per hour with each tiny fill-up." A remarkable number when compared to the price of gasoline and a gas-fueled, hybrid, or biofueled vehicle's average mile per gallon rate. Neither of the aforementioned automobiles offers this kind of mileage for a mere $2.00 fill up.

To illustrate the cost benefits of the Air Car, let's refer back to the hypothetical situation above, which states that the typical compact car has a gas tank holding fifteen gallons of gas and the current price of gasoline is $3.53 per gallon. We will also assume that the average family fills their gas tank twice a week, fifty-two weeks out of the year. That equals $105.90 per week on gasoline and $5506.80 a year. The average price to fuel up a sport utility vehicle, van, or truck can be twice to three times as much! The price to fill an Air Car, however, is a mere $4.00 per week and $208.00 a year. This is a significant drop, and can make a huge difference in a family's budget. It can mean more money for groceries, clothing, bills, or education.

As with any product there will be consumers who do not wish to purchase the Air Car. However, this does not negate the positive effect the Air Car will have on the American economy. As discussed earlier the price of gasoline is directly linked to the market price of a barrel of oil, as well as the theory of supply and demand. Shiva Vencat expects the market share for the new Air Car to be approximately 2% or more (qtd. in Steiner). This 2% equals a significant decrease in the demand for gasoline allowing for the price per barrel of oil to be adjusted accordingly. As the Air Car gains popularity and the 2% continues to grow the cost and demand for oil will continue to decrease, as will the price per gallon for gasoline. This will benefit those who wish to remain driving a gasoline-fueled vehicle. Groups that would benefit from the popularity of the Air Car without actually utilizing it include farmers and truckers whose equipment weighs too much to be powered by compressed air.

There are also those that will continue to insist that biofuel is an effective, and cost effective, way to alleviate the gas crisis. But, while biofuel is a clean burning and environmentally friendly fueling choice, biofuel burns up a widely needed food source in both America and in overseas third world countries. Since the Air Car does not utilize this of fuel form it allows farmers to continue to grow produce such as corn and soy strictly for human consumption while helping fight the rising cost of gasoline prices.

One cannot turn on the television or flip open a newspaper or magazine without reading about the ever rising price of gasoline and its detrimental effect on American's budget. The United States, once a country of wealth and prosperity, fueling their model-T's for only pennies on the dollar, now seeks relief from gas prices that are making it difficult for American's to provide for their families. Although options have been presented that offer a solution to environmental issues, or fuel consumption; none that have been proposed can offer people the relief they truly need. The Air Car is the only option to this growing problem that offers a very real and positive solution to the negative effect of price gouging at the pump. It has been shown to be both cost effective and easily obtainable in future months. Likewise, the acceptance and usage of the Air Car can be linked to lowering gasoline prices for those who do not wish to purchase and Air Car or those whose livelihood depends on the use of gas-fueled automobiles.

Works Cited

"The Fast and the Furious: Americans, Their Cars, and the Stories That Go With Them." Sc.lib.byu.edu. 2001. 3 May 2008 http://sc.lib.byu.edu/collections/folklore/forms/sample2.pdf>.

Pelosi, Nancy. "Record Gas Prices: More Than Double Since President Bush Took Office." 2008. 1 May 2008 http://speaker.gov/issues?id=0031>.

Steiner, Christopher. "Driving On Air." Forbes 181.9 (2008): 58. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. University of Maryland Univ. Coll. Lib., Adelphi, Md. 2 May 2008 http://ezproxy.umuc.edu>.

Sullivan, Matt. "Air-Powered Car Coming To U.S. In 2009 to 2010 At Sub-$18,000, Could Hit 1000- Mile Range." Popular Mechanics. 22 Feb. 2008. 3 May 2008 http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4251491.html?series=19>.

Sullivan, Matt. "World's First Air Powered Car: Zero Emissions By Next Summer." Popular Mechanics. June 2007. 3 May 2008 http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_car/4217016.html>.

United States Census Bureau. "Household Income Rises, Poverty Declines, Number Of Uninsured Up." United States Census Bureau News. 28 Aug. 2007. 3 May 2008 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/010583.html>.

Energy Information Administration. "U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices." Eia.doe.gov. n/d. 2 May 2008 http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html>.