Author Topic: Gas Prices Around the World! (Read 9186 times)

dolphin · « **on:** June 09, 2007, 06:54:23 AM »

Oslo, Norway - $6.82 a gallon for unleaded regular, in US dollars

London, UK $5.96

Rome , Italy $5.80

Brussels, Belgium $6.16

Hong Kong $6.25

Tokyo, Japan $5.25

Sao Paulo , Brazil $4.42

Buenos Aires , Argentina $2.09

Mexico City $2.22

Sidney , Australia $3.42

Johannesburg , South Africa $3.39

New Delhi , India $3.71

Here's the kicker!

Caracas $0.12!!!

Kuwait $0.78!!

Riyadh , Saudi Arabia $0.91!!

jepinto · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2007, 09:15:17 AM »

ok, I just gotta ask.... How do these prices rate in relationship to the average income of the citizens of each of the above named locales?

Highmac · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2007, 12:07:00 PM »

QUOTE(dolphin @ Jun 9 2007, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

London, UK $5.96

If only.... if only it was that cheap! We pay at least 95 pence per litre - that's about 3.60GBP per US gallon; at present rates that's over 7$ per US gallon.

From a Government website

QUOTE

The results of the 2006 ASHE show that median weekly pay for full-time employees in the UK grew by 3.7 per cent in April 2006 to reach £447. Median earnings of full-time male employees was £487 per week in April 2006; for women the median was £387.
The top 10 per cent of the earnings distribution earned more than £886 per week, while the bottom 10 per cent earned less than £244. Between April 2005 and 2006 the distribution of gross weekly pay widened, with a 3.7 per cent increase at the bottom decile, and a 4.2 per cent increase at the top decile.

Those seem to be the latest figures available. As you can see from the petrol price, the GBP is not far off double the US$

kimmer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2007, 12:47:29 PM »

Not sure what year Dolphin's figures are from. A google showed me this at CNN Money:

This page shows April/May 06 prices.

From this page at CNN Money (March 05) [bolded emphasis mine]:

QUOTE

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Gasoline prices in the United States, which have recently hit record highs, are actually much lower than in many countries. Drivers in some European cities, like Amsterdam and Oslo, are paying nearly 3 times more than those in the U.S.

The main factor in price disparities between countries is government policy, according to AirInc, a company that tracks the cost of living in various places around the world. Many European nations tax gasoline heavily, with taxes making up as much as 75 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline, said a spokesperson for AirInc.

In a few Latin America and Middle-East nations, such as Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, oil is produced by a government-owned company and local gasoline prices are kept low as a benefit to the nation's citizens, he said. All prices updated March, 2005.

So we have to factor in all these things: taxes, shipping costs, and who owns the oil, as well as cost of living and other things.

Paddy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2007, 01:20:29 PM »

Yup...I'm not looking forward to gassing up the rental in Germany in a few weeks! However, we did rent a diesel (Mercedes! - it has GPS, which my husband figured we just might need!) and it's mpg rating is about half the similar mid-sized gasoline-powered car we were considering. It won't take much to make up the difference in the rental cost with the savings on gas. Unfortunately, with 4 of us, including a 15 year old son who is just shy of 6', and our luggage, and quite possibly various German relatives, a compact car just doesn't cut it.

We're taking the train everywhere else (Switzerland and France) but time and other factors made a car a sensible choice for small-town southern Germany.

In Toronto right now the gas price is $1.014/litre, or $3.85 CDN per US gallon, which works out to about $3.58 USD. About 50¢ more per gallon than folks are paying back in North Andover, MA according to my gas widget (which doesn't do Toronto/Canadian gas prices!). I believe our taxes are the difference. There is currently a 31.1¢ levy on every litre of gas sold in Ontario, or the equivalent of $1.09 USD per US gallon. Compare that to the US, where the average total levy is 62¢ per US gallon.

Gregg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2007, 02:12:10 PM »

It doesn't surprise me that gas is so much cheaper in the Middle Eastern countries that pump the oil. Maybe that's another reason they're so wealthy.

dolphin · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2007, 03:12:23 PM »

QUOTE(kimmer @ Jun 9 2007, 01:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what year Dolphin's figures are from. A google showed me this at CNN Money:

This page shows April/May 06 prices.

From this page at CNN Money (March 05) [bolded emphasis mine]:

QUOTE

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Gasoline prices in the United States, which have recently hit record highs, are actually much lower than in many countries. Drivers in some European cities, like Amsterdam and Oslo, are paying nearly 3 times more than those in the U.S.

The main factor in price disparities between countries is government policy, according to AirInc, a company that tracks the cost of living in various places around the world. Many European nations tax gasoline heavily, with taxes making up as much as 75 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline, said a spokesperson for AirInc.

In a few Latin America and Middle-East nations, such as Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, oil is produced by a government-owned company and local gasoline prices are kept low as a benefit to the nation's citizens, he said. All prices updated March, 2005.

So we have to factor in all these things: taxes, shipping costs, and who owns the oil, as well as cost of living and other things.

It appears that my figures are closer to the 2005 figures. However; it's interesting that Caracas, Riyadh, and Kuwait City prices have remained the same the last two years. Just goes to show that where the oil comes from is the cheapest. I don't think that the Alaskan oil fields could supply the entire US for long. However; I thought I read somewhere that an awful lot of that oil is sold to China and Japan!

Dreambird · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2007, 05:02:45 PM »

QUOTE

Just goes to show that where the oil comes from is the cheapest.

Gosh that would be nice! Saw a documentary on TV regarding Alberta's Oil Sands... they claim we have reserves second in size only to Saudi Arabia. Of course the cost of production is higher... but no prices breaks here.

Also saw a episode of either The Passionate Eye or Frontline (bad memory, sorry) dedicated to Venezuela and the many issues the people there suffer due to unethical practices in the oil industry... it would make for a very interesting discussion... but I fear not here.

jepinto · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2007, 05:25:16 PM »

QUOTE(Paddy @ Jun 9 2007, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and it's mpg rating is about half the similar mid-sized gasoline-powered car we were considering.<snip >

I hate to be the "math police" but.... maybe you meant to say twice the mpg?

bil207 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2007, 06:27:41 PM »

QUOTE

Just goes to show that where the oil comes from is the cheapest.

QUOTE

Gosh that would be nice! Saw a documentary on TV regarding Alberta's Oil Sands... they claim we have reserves second in size only to Saudi Arabia. Of course the cost of production is higher... but no prices breaks here.

Most don't realize that the # 1 supplier of 'foreign" to to the U.S. is Canada
and not some middle eastern country.

Gregg · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2007, 02:39:41 PM »

QUOTE(jepinto @ Jun 9 2007, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE(Paddy @ Jun 9 2007, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and it's mpg rating is about half the similar mid-sized gasoline-powered car we were considering.<snip >

I hate to be the "math police" but.... maybe you meant to say twice the mpg?

Well if you hadn't commented on it.....

Rob would have!

Paddy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2007, 12:04:57 AM »

krissel · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2007, 02:28:32 AM »

If we had a decent mass transit system in this country you would see the price much lower. But thanks to decisions made back in early 20th century by our gov and General Motors, we all run around in our precious vehicles, our individuality intact.

And what some don't consider is the great distances one drives to get from place to place in the US (and Canada). We aren't small countries like in Europe which can be traversed in a day or so. Our products are more often than not trucked across 3,000 miles. Our rail system is woefully inadequate.

DB, I'm going to remain reserved with my comments re Venezuela. Suffice it to say, I refuse to buy Citgo gas. I'll walk first.

Gregg · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2007, 07:25:41 AM »

Citgo is the most prevalent, and thus most convenient place to buy gas in Milwaukee. I stopped buying from them several years ago. It's not like any of the others are good guys, just not as bad.

danf63 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2007, 07:15:27 AM »

I agree with what Krissel didn't say

My wife's from Venezuela.

Also, Venezuela is planning to raise the price of gas for everyone except buses and taxis. Once before they raised the price (I think in the 1980s). The bus and taxi fares went up and it caused a revolution.

Dan

News:

Author Topic: Gas Prices Around the World! (Read 9186 times)