Q: Don’t be fooled by rhetoric across the struggle in Ukraine inflicting excessive fuel costs. Fuel we purchase at present is from oil offered to brokers months in the past. That is blatant gouging by oil firms and distributors.
Steve Brock, San Jose
A: Proposed new laws would require oil refiners to reveal every month what worth they pay for crude oil and what their revenue margins are. There are numerous the explanation why Californians pay the very best fuel costs within the nation. Russia’s invasion is the most important motive for the latest leap in costs. Different elements are additionally in play.
California’s requirement for smog-reducing particular mix fuels has created an vitality island. That’s as a result of solely California refiners make fuels that can be utilized in California.
And California refineries are producing at nearly full capability now, but fuel utilization is up because the economic system rebounds, and fewer folks take mass transit. Extra drivers drive at extreme speeds since COVID, which makes use of extra fuel and contributes to reducing the provision.
Q: I’m appalled by the struggling in Ukraine and, in fact, we’re not paying something close to the true price of burning oil, so I really feel like a jerk asking, however why does it really feel just like the nook fuel station raised its worth in a single day?
Did each station pay extra to refill their underground tanks the day after the Ukraine invasion, or are they simply worth gouging? Did the refineries purchase costlier oil that very same day?
Steve Williams, Venice
A: Oil firms get spooked about an unsure future, just like the Russian invasion. This will produce sudden and excessive will increase in fuel costs.
Q: Fuel costs drop and gross sales of outsized vans skyrocket. Fuel costs rise and drivers blame the world for his or her gasoline prices, somewhat than their selections about what to drive. Folks purchase what they need and never what they want. What number of occasions does a suburbanite driver want a one ton four-wheel-drive pickup?
I’m on my third hybrid since 2001. A couple of month from now, I’ll have to purchase fuel on the new excessive costs. Then once more, 4-6 weeks after that.
I’m actually joyful I drive an EV and never an SUV.
Greg Throne, Nice Hill
A: SUV mileage is healthier than it was a couple of many years in the past, however you’re proper, it’s a lot decrease than for a hybrid or electrical car.
Q: Relating to the fuel worth uproar, there was a day someday in 1974 once I requested a piece colleague, “Did you discover that fuel simply went from 40 cents to 60 cents?”
Perhaps you do not forget that, too.
Bob Hirsch
A: Sure. My used Plymouth obtained a whopping 18 mpg, which appeared good on the time.
Search for Gary Richards at Fb.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.