Fuel economy. A challenge.

[ozwinner]

Well after reading all your posts I dont feel too bad about my F250 getting only 20l/100kms after all.
I am usually loaded up with tools/scaffold/1/2 tonne of cement and one, sometimes two excited brickies.

Al

[Auld Bassoon]

and one sometimes 2 excited brickies.

Al

Or just plain nervous (especially the goats :eek: )

[Grunt]

F250 getting only 20l/100kms after all.

How many ham and salad rolls is that?

[ozwinner]

How many ham and salad rolls is that?

The salad dont count, ya know that.

Al

[Schtoo]

A slight improvement.

From 14.2l/100km to 12l/100km, and running the A/C nearly all the time.

I guess a light foot and not driving like a nimrod does help don't it?

(Still a fuel guzzler in my book though. )

[Metal Head]

Govt urged to consider alternative fuels

The federal government is under growing pressure from within its own ranks to consider alternative fuels as a way to help ease the pressure of spiralling petrol prices. But Prime Minister John Howard has won endorsement from the joint party room for his refusal to cut excise on petrol. Fresh from six weeks in their electorates during the winter recess, coalition MPs and senators let Mr Howard know that the high price of petrol is the most pressing issue for voters.

They used a special joint party room meeting to raise their concerns about high fuel prices, with Mr Howard conceding the issue was hurting. Both the coalition and Labor have ruled out any cut in fuel excise, which now funnels 38 cents per litre into government coffers. A 10 cent cut in the excise would cost around $3 billion. Petrol was the most frequent topic raised by the 47 government members who spoke during the three-hour meeting. Coalition members generally were supportive of the government's refusal to cut excise, party room sources said. However, they wanted the government to look at what it could do "around the edges" to help families cope with high petrol costs.

Rebel Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce wants the fuel tax cut but concedes it will do little to solve the problem in the longer term. He is suggesting the government consider investing more in alternative fuel sources. "A cut in excise is an issue that should be on the table, but that's not going to find an alternate product," he said. "That's just going to encourage people to continue using the same product." He repeated calls for the government to mandate ethanol content in petrol, further develop alternative fuel sources and strengthen the Trade Practices Act to boost fuel price monitoring.

Liberal backbencher David Jull also backs the idea of alternative fuels. "I think ultimately you've got to look at alternative fuels," he said. Some service stations now sell petrol blended with ethanol but Mr Howard has maintained his opposition to mandating levels of ethanol or any other bio-fuel. Ethanol is extracted from sugar cane but Mr Jull said there were other options which would help increase the amount of ethanol used in the Australian market. "Ultimately, you've got to go the full hog, you've got to look at every possible conceivable alternative to fossil fuels," Mr Jull said.

Labor believes giving the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) more power to prevent gouging by oil companies is crucial to addressing the issue. Labor competition spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon flagged moves by the opposition this week to give the ACCC more to formally monitor and investigate petrol prices. "In 1997, (Treasurer) Peter Costello took away (ACCC chairman) Graeme Samuel's powers to formally monitor and investigate petrol prices," Mr Fitzgibbon said. "This week in the parliament I'll be moving amendments to allow Graeme Samuel to do so and of course I'll be challenging government backbenchers to support my amendment."

[sawdustmike]

Took the wifes new Hyundai elantra - the one with all the stuff auto etc- down to the bush and back today. On the way there sitting on 120 it got 7.1l/100k and that was with a howling tail wind (gusts to 80kmh). On the way home with a boot full of jarrah (don't laugh it was about 100kgs worth) sailing into said gale I sat on 110 and got 6.8l/100k. Work that one out. Before you ask, no she didn't know about the Jarrah in the boot, for that matter she didn't know about me taking the car either. Teach her to go to the swim through called diggers and dealers. Hah.