Drivers wonder how long high gas prices will last and if they should go EV
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Lexus Fanatic
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Drivers wonder how long high gas prices will last and if they should go EV
“As a result, EV owners are largely unaffected by oil price shocks.”
"Clean power and electrification combined is what provides the most security," said Euan Graham, an analyst at energy think tank Ember
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Last edited by Toys4RJill; Mar 14, 2026 at 01:11 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Wars in the Middle East come and go. Gas prices go up and down. Perhaps the worst thing one can do in a situation like this is to make a rushed-decision on the spur of the moment. We've been hearing horror-stories about the end of the Fossil-Fuel Age for over 50 years now...and that we would never see reasonably-priced gas again. And that's just what they have been...stories. 
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to some drivers getting a BEV (as it also is on my case) is the fact that they live in condos, apartments, or small townhouses that do not have either garages or outdoor electric-charging outlets. True, some places have public outlets, and some dealerships also have them, but they can be difficult to get to, crowded with waits, or, of course, not be working when there is a power failure. Consumer Reports reliability data also shows that, as a general class, Hybrids are the most reliable vehicles, then ICEs, then BEVs, in that order. They don't say why, but the most likely reason would be because hybrids split the wear and tear on the drivetrain between the gas and electric motors.
If GM would do a hybrid version of the Trailblazer/Encore GX, I'd seriously consider one (and that would not be a decision made on the spur of the moment...I've felt that way for a long time). But, Marry Barra just doesn't seem to want GM to put much effort into hybrids.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle to some drivers getting a BEV (as it also is on my case) is the fact that they live in condos, apartments, or small townhouses that do not have either garages or outdoor electric-charging outlets. True, some places have public outlets, and some dealerships also have them, but they can be difficult to get to, crowded with waits, or, of course, not be working when there is a power failure. Consumer Reports reliability data also shows that, as a general class, Hybrids are the most reliable vehicles, then ICEs, then BEVs, in that order. They don't say why, but the most likely reason would be because hybrids split the wear and tear on the drivetrain between the gas and electric motors.
If GM would do a hybrid version of the Trailblazer/Encore GX, I'd seriously consider one (and that would not be a decision made on the spur of the moment...I've felt that way for a long time). But, Marry Barra just doesn't seem to want GM to put much effort into hybrids.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 14, 2026 at 01:57 PM.
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Lexus Champion
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Gas prices affect more than just the price at the pump.
Only reason I know this is because back in the day I did outside industrial electrical sales for a company for my job.
One of my customers was a tire factory and they told me that the high gas prices were killing them and they might have to shut the plant down and were running at a loss.
Until that day, I never knew that gas prices affected so many industries.
Only reason I know this is because back in the day I did outside industrial electrical sales for a company for my job.
One of my customers was a tire factory and they told me that the high gas prices were killing them and they might have to shut the plant down and were running at a loss.
Until that day, I never knew that gas prices affected so many industries.
Last edited by Margate330; Mar 14, 2026 at 04:23 PM.
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They sure do....you can bet the rent money on that..Most supplies across the nation are delivered by truck, and, to a lesser extent, by train and cargo-planes. All else equal, higher gas, jet-fuel, and diesel prices obviously make it more expensive to ship and deliver these supplies. Industries across the board feel the pinch.
In addition, higher oil prices mean higher prices for plastic-made goods. Petroleum is a key ingredient in the manufacture of many plastics....which are in so many different things you buy nowadays.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 14, 2026 at 04:32 PM.
Lead Lap
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From: San Diego, CA
At some point the penny might drop that the more people can move to vehicles that can operate wholly or partly on renewable energy, the more oil and gas is left for those that can't.
The savings are significant. Even if I pay to charge at home rather than use our solar, it would cost me $15.72 to charge my truck from 0% to 100%, and that 100% charge would get me an EPA-estimated 300 miles, which I basically get. Super off peak is under 12c per kWh. 300 miles in a gasoline truck is going to cost considerably more.
The savings are significant. Even if I pay to charge at home rather than use our solar, it would cost me $15.72 to charge my truck from 0% to 100%, and that 100% charge would get me an EPA-estimated 300 miles, which I basically get. Super off peak is under 12c per kWh. 300 miles in a gasoline truck is going to cost considerably more.
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
And, not only that, a case can be made that we need to implement a major synthetic oil industry in the U.S., like we did in World War II with synthetic rubber when the Japanese cut off our natural rubber supplies from Southeast Asia. We already have a synthetic industry for engine-oil.........it could be expanded to include synthetic gasoline as well. That, in effect, would be "renewable" oil and gas.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 14, 2026 at 05:18 PM.
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Pit Crew
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Couple of good points made here.
I was going to jump in and simply say 'pass', but fuel type/source isn't something I am attracted to from the consumer side. I just appreciate an engine with natural sound, which can likely be achieved from a variety of sources. And maintain similar, if not better, mileage too.
I was going to jump in and simply say 'pass', but fuel type/source isn't something I am attracted to from the consumer side. I just appreciate an engine with natural sound, which can likely be achieved from a variety of sources. And maintain similar, if not better, mileage too.
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Lead Lap
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From: SC
I think it will at least get a few more folks to look at them. Maybe even drive one out of curiosity. And if more drive one, I certainly think a subset would be impressed enough to purchase if it suited their lifestyle.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: New York
If you’re buying $50k plus vehicle then 50cents more per gallon should not be pushing you from one vehicle to another.
The gas increase really affects ppl living paycheck to paycheck or ones that have business that are gas reliant.
The middle class person that runs to buy an EV if gas goes up slightly is the same person that liquidates their portfolio when market is down for a few days in a row.
The gas increase really affects ppl living paycheck to paycheck or ones that have business that are gas reliant.
The middle class person that runs to buy an EV if gas goes up slightly is the same person that liquidates their portfolio when market is down for a few days in a row.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: New York
For the majority - a hybrid or plug-in hybrid is probably the best solution to save $$$. The depreciation and initial purchase cost is much less.
CL Community Team
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From: IL