Shifting Paradigms
- 7 April 2013 21:42224274
A whole raft of facts and figures have emerged recently re our failing love affair with the car. A majority of teenagers - even in the US - now do not drive. But a really interesting set of figures on fuel sales in the UK have recently been released. If anyone doubts that the age of the car is coming to an end I think these will change your mind!
2007 forecourt sales 22.87 billion litres petrol
2011 forecourt sales 18.27 billion litres petrol
2012 forecourt sales 17.42 billion litres petrol
2007 forecourt sales 14.8 billion litres diesel
2012 forecourt sales 16.73 billion litres diesel
2007 forecourt sales 37.67 billion litres all fuel
2012 forecourt sales 34.16 billion litres all fuel
Taking total fuels the AA reports that this fall is the equivalent of 35 days forecourt sales, or just under a 10% drop.
I suspect these figures tell us a number of things. That we're in recession of course, but also that people are giving up driving completely, driving less or driving more fuel efficient vehicles. This is of course screamingly obvious, but it also reflects something far deeper - that the years of constantly increasing fuel use are over. It is starting to contract. Of course at the same time fuel use on the roads is diminishing, rail travel is booming. And I can't see this ever changing now. The return of the tram is inevitable.Never give up... - Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
7 April 2013 22:21224277I certainly havent noticed any less cars on the road despite the rising costs.Not so many of the big gas guzzlers anymore.Modern cars are so much more fuel efficent than they used to be,the down side is if they go wrong you now need to be a computer expert and scientist to put them right,being just a mechanic isnt enough anymore.Also a good indication of the amount of cars on our roads,just take a look in your street and think of how many more parking spaces there were 10 years ago,go back 25 years ago,its quite surprising! - 7 April 2013 22:25224278..the figures may be marginal-but they are significant.Never give up...
- 8 April 2013 01:07224287Electric buses will be running in Dover, but it's not certain what will convince people to abandon the car, whether common sense or a lack of petrol.
However, at present there are more cars being sold in Britain then ever before.
The streets in Dover are lined with parked cars, the roads are full of them, they all puff out chemical gas with fine particles, people breathe it in.
But good news comes as the cycle path along the Dour through Pencester Gardens is complete, as too the section leading to Morrisons, and soon the stretch past K College will be ready.
People should either travel by bike, roller skates or electrobus (or tram), or train, or on foot.
Close all airports! Use the ferry!
Here it is:
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 8 April 2013 01:17224288Or try this one@
Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ
