petrol prices

**Maximus** · 7th March 2005, 13:04

[QUOTE=Slingshot]

I heard of an idea to lower fuel prices. It goes something like this:
Get everyone to fuel up at only one oil company (let's say BP). All of the other oil companies will start to feel the pinch as they're not getting their fair share of the market so they'll drop the prices, then BP will follow suit.

QUOTE]

Now here's an idea that mite actually work! What do ya reckon the chances of getting everyone to do this actually is tho?!

**Wolf** · 7th March 2005, 13:20

Originally Posted by takiniteasy

how do we get them to lower prices. and i am waiting for the day when the hybrid motor bike comes out, or even worse the full electric bike. kilo watts will really come into it then. and you could really call it a sewing machines. remember the days when we used to laugh at them. now it may come true.

I've been looking into electric vehicles and It's not the motors that're holding us back, it's the portable power supply. Wellington trams, "the Unit" and a lot of our intercity trains run on electricity.

Remember, IC engines are rated in peak power, electric motors in continous power (and can peak at up to 20 times that) and, given a decent power supply, they can and do outclass infernal combustion engines.

EVs can be quite quick, powerful and responsive - even with the limitations placed on them by today's battery technology. A few more years and a few improvements in alternative power generation (like smaller, lighter hydrogen fuel cells) and they would give petrol vehicles a serious run for their money.

Batteries are bulky, heavy and don't last long, current fuel cells are even bulkier and heavier, but that will change and Chrysler has been having great success with a method of chemically storing the hydrogen (released on demand using a catalyst) that is renewable (the dehydrogenated compound can be taken back and rehydrogenated ready to be used again), safe to handle (sodium borohydride, similar to borax - laundry detergent) and has a 30mpg efficiency in mini-vans with heavy fuel cells - it can only get better. (Do a web search for the Chrysler "Natrium")

My GSX250 was given to me as a rolling frame that I was going to use for an electric motorbike project (until I buggered the LS400 and thought I'd try getting a new engine for the GSX). I still want to complete that project one day (by the time I can afford to, we'll have better electric bikes available commercially than I could build.)

If a home-converted cage with 12 massive batteries can manage 75 mles an hour, tops, and have a 35 mile range with 1990's technology, the future will hold a lot more promise. (http://jerryrig.com/convert/)

**Lias** · 7th March 2005, 13:52

There was an internet chain letter to that effect thats been doing the rounds for a few years now. Never had any noticable effect that I've heard of.

**TwoSeven** · 7th March 2005, 14:53

You could always make your own fuel instead of bitching about it

. Its not hard, and fairly cheap. Easiest one is Biodiesel, cheapest one is SVO (straight vege oil)

http://www.biodiesel.org/
http://www.eugeneweb.com/~bios/biod.htm
http://www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2000/10/0379.htm
http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/home/home.asp

BioPetrol is a little bit harder to make, since you kind of need a big processing plant for treating sewage and garbage.

**Wolf** · 7th March 2005, 15:03

Originally Posted by TwoSeven

You could always make your own fuel instead of bitching about it.

Crank up the 'stil, maw, we's got us some 'shine to make.

Read the "Alcohol Fuel Cookbook" (can't remember the author's name) a number of years ago - fine if you have the room to do it, and easier now since the laws have laxed regarding alcohol distilling at home. Excellent book, New Zealand based as I recall, has all the bits and pieces about distilling, purifying, denaturing (rendering it undrinkable), retuning your engine (jet sizes, floats etc).

Thanks for those sites TwoSeven

**inlinefour** · 7th March 2005, 15:04

Originally Posted by Monsterbishi

I gave up looking at petrol prices when it went past $1/litre, now I just pump, pay, and ride...

Wanna ride then have to pay. Got job will pay and will ride. Makes me wonder about the logistics of getting a faster bike though as it is only going to become worse.

**Wolf** · 7th March 2005, 15:15

Originally Posted by Honda

Wanna ride then have to pay. Got job will pay and will ride. Makes me wonder about the logistics of getting a faster bike though as it is only going to become worse.

We'll all have to buy little nifty fifties that don't go fast but you can ride to Wellington from Auckland for about $1.95.

Then again, NAH!

**R1** · 7th March 2005, 17:54

Originally Posted by Honda

Wanna ride then have to pay. Got job will pay and will ride. Makes me wonder about the logistics of getting a faster bike though as it is only going to become worse.

But BIG bikes are soooooooooo much more fun

Gas would have 2b $10 PER L
B4 i gave up the big bikes....

**enigma51** · 7th March 2005, 17:59

The only thing that is a bit of a mistery is why is the tax so high on petrol. Dont they get enough money from speeding.

**bugjuice** · 7th March 2005, 18:08

I remember in the UK a few years back when a couple of guys and their tractors managed to bring almost all the UK to a grinding halt by parking in front of the oil company and stopping delivery trucks from getting out. Almost every gas station ran dry and shut down. Was actually a pretty amazing feat. As soon as word broke out that one place had gas, everyone was there, queing up around the block and being limited to x amount per vehicle. People would literally follow tankers for miles, trying to find where they stopped. I was thankful I filled up the night before it kicked off and that lasted me the week, but it went on for about 3 I think..

I also remember last year, gas here went under 90¢ at one point. I was going to take a pic of it to remember by, and post it at places and times like this, but I didn't. Ever think gas will ever be below $1 again? Don't think so..

As for the idea of bypassing a certain company, that's been round heaps of times before. In theory, it could work, but in essence, there wouldn't be enough people to make a dent in a big multi-national company. The others would have to drive up their costs, and so would that one that everyone would be going to. They'd love everyone coming to them, and they'd hike up the price within the hour! The others would have to up their price to make sure they break even on gas, they wouldn't lower it. And to drive them out of business would take months of dedication, which really wouldn't happen. Like I said, it's a good theory, but in practicality of it, I doubt it'd work..

**inlinefour** · 7th March 2005, 21:42

Originally Posted by R1AaronKDX

But BIG bikes are soooooooooo much more fun

Gas would have 2b $10 PER L
B4 i gave up the big bikes....

Still have plans just over the horizon that involve a Fireblade...

**Jackrat** · 7th March 2005, 22:41

Originally Posted by Slingshot

You sure they weren't talking about pounds per gallon?

I heard of an idea to lower fuel prices. It goes something like this:
Get everyone to fuel up at only one oil company (let's say BP). All of the other oil companies will start to feel the pinch as they're not getting their fair share of the market so they'll drop the prices, then BP will follow suit.

Either that...or vote in the National Government!

That was tryed a while ago and everybody got their tits in a tangle about the poor mum an dad sevice station owners being at the mercy of the evil gas Co's.
I'm sure they'd still make a killing on bog rolls an cat food but what would I know.
Fucking service stations my arse,try buying a set of points or a radiator cap.
I reckon it's about time we could buy gas at New World,then we'd see some competition aye!!
Oh sorry they might form a monopoly,an we can't have that, right??
End bleat.

**Jackrat** · 7th March 2005, 22:48

Originally Posted by enigma51

The only thing that is a bit of a mistery is why is the tax so high on petrol. Dont they get enough money from speeding.

Supousedly the Gov't had a 6 billion deficit last year.
Must be saving that for taxi fares huh.

**Slingshot** · 8th March 2005, 07:54

Originally Posted by Jackrat

That was tryed a while ago and everybody got their tits in a tangle about the poor mum an dad sevice station owners being at the mercy of the evil gas Co's.
I'm sure they'd still make a killing on bog rolls an cat food but what would I know.
Fucking service stations my arse,try buying a set of points or a radiator cap.
I reckon it's about time we could buy gas at New World,then we'd see some competition aye!!
Oh sorry they might form a monopoly,an we can't have that, right??
End bleat.

In Wellington, Pack N Save has a gas station. It's really just a re-branded BP without the attendants though.
The good thing is, the more you spend at Pack N Save, the more discount you get ff your fuel (up to 5 or 6 cents per litre).

**inlinefour** · 8th March 2005, 09:26

Originally Posted by Slingshot

In Wellington, Pack N Save has a gas station. It's really just a re-branded BP without the attendants though.
The good thing is, the more you spend at Pack N Save, the more discount you get ff your fuel (up to 5 or 6 cents per litre).

It will then become my regular petrol station as we all need food etc...