Whirlwinds

My car has a neat little computer that displays all sorts of information like the direction I am heading, the outside temperature, the average fuel per kilometre, the current rate of rate of consumption and range before the next stop at a filling station/bank. For wind speed, I still stick my arm out the window. Of course rolling down a window and sticking an arm outside increases the coefficient of drag so I try to resist except on warm days.

This is all great stuff as entertainment but with the erratic and escalating cost of fuel, I need a better reminder of how much it is costing me to motor around. I want a dashboard window that will display the current cost per kilometre. I wish that the car manufacturers could provide me with this feature on my trip computer but they know I would soon be looking for alternative transportation if they did.

I made a simple chart of my wife’s VW, my Chevy and my neighbour’s Expedition as a reference on the effects of changing fuel costs. I took some liberty with the general assumptions I made, but the results were interesting. For capital costs, I assumed a five year amortization (cost less what the dealer will give me on trading the vehicle); for annual distance, 20,000 kms. Insurance is for an old fart with a good driving record.

The Volkswagen Jetta (diesel)
Capital costs: (30,000 – 8,000/5) / 20,000 = .22
Insurance & upkeep: 2,000/ 20,000 = .10
Average city/hwy =5.5 litres / 100 km
Diesel @ .75 = .041 for a total of .361 per km or $7,220 per year
Diesel @ 1.00 = .055 for a total of .375 per km or $7,500 per year
Diesel @ 1.25 = .069 = for a total of .389 per km or $7,780 per year

The Chevrolet Impala (gas)
Capital costs: (30,000 – 5,000/5) / 20,000 = .25
Insurance & upkeep: 2,000/ 20,000 = .10
Average city/hwy =7.6 litres / 100 km
Gas @ 1.00 = .076 for a total of .426 per km or $8,520 per year
Gas @ 1.30 = .099 for a total of .449 per km or $8,980 per year
Gas @ 1.50 = .114 for a total of .454 per km or $9,080 per year
Gas @ 2.00 = .152 for a total of .502 per km or $10,040 per year

The Ford Expedition (premium gas)
Capital costs: (60,000 – 12,000/5) / 20,000 = .48
Insurance & upkeep: 4,000/ 20,000 = .20
Average city/hwy =16.5 litres / 100 km
Gas @ 1.10 = .182 for a total of .862 per km or $17,240 per year
Gas @ 1.40 = .231 for a total of .911 per km or $18,220 per year
Gas @ 1.60 = .264 for a total of .944 per km or $18,880 per year
Gas @ 2.10 = .346 for a total of 1.026 per km or $20,520 per year

As you can see, the costs of fuel are really only a small part of running a vehicle but as the fuel costs climb, it becomes more attractive to find other ways of getting around. A three-wheeled bicycle with snow tires might be a big seller here in the north. Buying a used vehicle will cut down on the capital costs but one must consider higher maintenance costs and fuel efficiency.

With the price of fuel being as variable as the wind, we may as well get used to the wild fluctuations in the cost of running our vehicles. Sand storms in the Middle East, hurricanes and tornados in the American south and Alberta Clippers in the winter – it seems that the winds are much to blame for our higher fuel costs. Add to that the winds of war and you can understand the look of panic in Dubyah’s eyes.

Did not the Book of Hosea say something about sowing a wind reaping a whirlwind? I guess they did not have hurricanes for their similes in the old Middle East, but the oil companies are certainly sowing the seeds of discontent here in Canada. Even a Conservative government could not stand still long for the rape of the taxpayers the like of which we have now by our Petroleum companies and their front men at the gas pumps.

And the government could do something for the taxpayer if they wanted to face down the oil lobbyists. To stop the wild fluctuations in petroleum prices all they have to do is stop the stock market trading of oil stocks, for we can be sure it is the Wall St and Bay St bullies who are buying and selling futures on crude that are causing the prices to rise at the least threat of whirlwinds. As for the local gas stations owners who are gouging us, the public will soon sort them out! Yet I fear our Liberal government will do nothing for us since they too, are reaping a harvest of taxes . . . or is it a whirlwind?