| Topic: Rising fuel prices |
|---|
| 41. Author: NMCmassive Date: Sun 5th Apr 2026. 01:30 Some will say we’ve never been to the moon, others will say there’s an entire space force up there interacting with alien races and shielding us all from the truth because something to do with the Vatican and the anti-Christ. 🤷🏻♂️ truth will be somewhere in the middle. I really hope the toe isn’t bad. I’m more interested in how it could all play out - particularly because we’re in the old fat lady of Europe. I think America looses this war but I don’t think this war is the end goal. They’ve taken Venezuela (at the very least Venezuela will do as it’s told now). Central America is their ‘cheap labour’ for manufacturing. The Americas (continents) are very resource rich plus they’ve got huge land mass. Add a bit of Greenland and I think the USA and its allies will have everything it needs. On the other side of Iran is the Russia/China alliance. China is doing its thing quietly but I think USA has already written off defending Taiwan and is looking to implement a different strategy. Russia is resource heavy and has a robust economy because of it. We (Europe) are kinda caught in no mans land. We’ve literally destroyed our own heavy industries and outsourced our manufacturing to everywhere else. We have highly specialised manufacturing, high end manufacturing but that is very specific and limited in its capabilities to turn out materials/products en mass. We are also extremely reliant on everyone else for O&G and fuel in general. (Something we need to take responsibility for btw. We voted for them) So basically, the end goal for America isn’t about regime change in Iran, it’s about strengthening its own position as a provider and producer to those under its sphere of influence. It’ll reinforce American dominance in global economic markets. Unless of course we’d rather side with Vladimir Putin and the IRGC? CCP also don’t seem to be very interested in DEI unless you’re from the Han dynasty so I don’t know how that will go down with the Green Party in the long run COYP Reply |
| 42. Author: OzPar Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 02:27 Australia is the largest importer of diesel fuel in the world. Of the 28 largest developed economies, it holds the lowest fuel reserves. Japan`s stockpile is 260 days. We are at 26 days and falling. As things stand, D-day—when we nominally run out—is 19 May. Six of our eight refineries have closed since 2013, and we import 90% of our refined fuel, mostly through Singapore, which draws much of its oil from the Persian Gulf. Clearly, we are in a critical situation. If you have been to Australia, you will readily understand the so-called "tyranny of distance"—cities are so far apart, and even each state`s main towns are often hundreds of kilometres from the capital. Surely, there are troubles with food distribution not too far ahead. Last week, our federal government announced a 50% reduction in its fuel excise tax for the next three months. This brought prices down 50 cents a litre, but prices are climbing back, and today a litre of diesel costs $3.15. I have a diesel car, so I am using it sparingly now. I am grateful that I have a pushbike in the garage, though I think I will struggle to carry very much shopping. I guess I will have to investigate home delivery shopping from the supermarket. I am retired, so I don`t require a car for work, but of course, many do. What will they do? Are we going to return to the Covid work-from-home scenario? That can`t work for everyone. Our state government has announced that all public transport will be free. But, if there is no fuel...? How do things look over where you are? Post Edited (Tue 07 Apr 02:34) Reply |
| 43. Author: Dave_1885 Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 08:20 Folk still panic buying here, despite the fuel still being mainly available so far……. At least we have a refinery at Grangem…….oh never mind 🤦🏻♂️ Reply |
| 44. Author: jake89 Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 09:21 Grangemouth was jet fuel I think. Reply |
| 45. Author: NMCmassive Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 12:16 I think it done jet fuel as well as other fuels. No that it matters much now 🤷🏻♂️ it’s just another thing to add to the list of the crumbling infrastructure that we’re giving up. Rather than reinvest and update it’s “cheaper” to just buy in from abroad. Also looks like we’re creating less C02 locally so it ticks boxes for net zero. Absolute sh17 show. COYP Reply |
| 46. Author: The One Who Knocks Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 13:01 Yeah it`s looking increasingly likely that Trump has sunk the world economy. Starting to think my summer holiday in Spain, although already booked and paid for, could now be in doubt as airlines across the globe cancel services. Certainly looking like surcharges will be imposed. And although my eyes were open They just might as well be closed Reply |
| 47. Author: LochgellyAlbert Date: Tue 7th Apr 2026. 14:12 jake89, Tue 7 Apr 09:21 I think that there is a pipeline from Grangemouth to the Airport. Reply |
| 48. Author: thebear Date: Fri 17th Apr 2026. 13:38 When oil prices rise pump rises instantly, when oil prices fall pump prices stay the same Reply |
| 49. Author: hurricane_jimmy Date: Sun 19th Apr 2026. 17:18 Well..people have had the opportunity for a good 10-15(?) years now to get an EV and put solar panels or wind turbines on their home, often with the added bonus of Government subsidization. This would grant a proper path to energy independence and my own relatives in both Queensland and South Australia have done this quite successfully. My parents in Scotland however were a bit short sighted in this regard and stuck with petrol and diesel cars. The irony for me is that they are both pro-Brexit and pro-Union, despite the effect that has on their cost of living. Hurts ma brain tbh. Reply |
| 50. Author: ipswichpar Date: Sun 19th Apr 2026. 18:01 Has the correct independent analysis been done to say it is shortsighted? Might be more expensive right now, but it might have cost a lot more to get here, with the opportunity cost of paying for an expensive new vehicle with related high depreciation. Reply |
| 51. Author: jake89 Date: Sun 19th Apr 2026. 22:43 To be fair, electric cars are still relatively unproven in terms of longevity and the primary reason for recent increases is the flooding of the market with cheap Chinese EVs that I`d suggest will damage the reputation of EVs more than anything. I`d consider an EV to replace one of our cars when the time comes but it still feels like the cheap ones are crap and the good ones are pricey. I say this as someone who won`t buy anything Renault/Nissan/Dacia (don`t try and convince me they`re not **** as I`ve owned a Renault, three Nissan`s and a Dacia and only the pre-Renault alliance Nissan was any good). Reply |
| 52. Author: Tad Allagash Date: Sun 19th Apr 2026. 23:39 jake89, Sun 19 Apr 22:43 But with EVs, you don’t have to worry about the engine, gearbox, clutch, dual mass flywheel, fuel pump, water pump, oil leaks or exhaust that might have caused you grief with your dinosaur juice cars. It’s all about the infotainment system these days. Reply |
| 53. Author: jake89 Date: Mon 20th Apr 2026. 08:10 But you do have to worry about the build quality of something made cheaply in China. Jaecoo seem to be the worst. If I went EV I`d be more inclined to get something from VW or Kia. Far too many hybrids on the market. These seem to be pretty good but surely you`re talking double trouble in terms of potential issues? Reply |
| 54. Author: P Date: Mon 20th Apr 2026. 08:21 Have an EV, solar panels & battery. Not to have green credentials (seems pointless when you consider the energy AI consumes but that’s a different debate) but for the financial benefits. EV is on a work car scheme so it’s a half price car. The energy provider gives me leccy’ at 6.7p during the night which I use to charge the battery and sometimes the car and I then sell any excess leccy back to the grid at 12p during the day while the battery powers the house. Solar payback is around 7 years for my set up based on first year savings. Then you also have an asset that adds value to your house so full payback is less important. In the summer I don’t charge the car at all overnight and just use solar so go from a fiver for 230 miles (winter range is less) to £0 for 280 miles. Doesn’t work for everyone as depends on circumstances but it’s a total no brainer. Plus I can drive round and round watching people queue to panic buy fuel while I get free power from the sky Reply |
| 55. Author: DBP Date: Mon 20th Apr 2026. 09:05 We dipped our toe in the ev water about a year ago. Bought a 3 year old bmw (the tiny one that looks like a roller skate). Took it for two years and the monthly cost was a lot less than our previous car. It only does about 120 miles of full charge but that’s plenty as our longest trip generally is a round trip from Dunfermline to Glasgow via Livi and Stirling to visit the kids. We have found ourselves going further once or twice, but 15 mins in any Starbucks (that has the charging points) and we’re all charged up. In short I love it. Way in traffic as no gears, super nippy, really smooth drive and as said above, we fill it up overnight on a cheap tariff And whereas my last car (1.6L) used to cost me about £60 to fill up a month, we spend around £16 equivalent We’re looking at solar & batteries at the minute and watching with interest at the plug in solar panels that are very popular in Germany that seem to be coming over. but for us (in Scotland), it seems like a smart battery is as important as the solar panels as you fill it up on the cheap tariff and use it during the day when it would normally be more expensive Reply |
| 56. Author: LochgellyAlbert Date: Mon 20th Apr 2026. 09:33 Been driving a Hybrid Nissan coming up for 3yrs now, only one serious breakdown that was sorted under warranty. Top economy figure was 69.9mpg, auto and very nippy, love it! Reply |