64% can't cover $1,000 emergency

[Billy the Great Khan]

People really need education on nat gas. On a dollar to dollar basis it's probaly cheaper than gasoline right now. It's a lot cleaner and needs way less refining. And we Have many trillions of dollars worth just like we have untapped in oil.
If we ever have a real economic crisis well tap it.

It's significantly cheaper than gas, you are correct. I think under $1 a gallon here.

 

[Bonestorm]

The definition of "middle class" has certainly undergone changes over the decades. In the 50's the standard view of a middle class family would have included a 2 bedroom home (3 BR for upper-middle class), a single car in a detached garage, a single family television, etc. By the mid 80's that view had changed to 3-4 BR home, 2 cars in an attached garage, two or more televisions, etc. Today, a minimum standard for middle class includes a bedroom for each child plus (by previous standards) extra large master bedroom for the adults, 3 or more cars, television in most rooms including the kitchen, more than one personal computers, cell phones for each member of the family, etc. etc. etc. By the standards of the 50s, today's "typical" middle income family would have been considered in the wealthy category. As such, because the standards for the term "middle income" have risen significantly, it would not be inaccurate to describe the middle income of today as better of than 30 years ago, in spite of the economic woes of today.

That's nonsense. Median annual household income in the US is about $50,000. The lifestyle you're describing is not supportable on median income.

Please! In poorer countries even cheap, used electronics are beyond the purchasing power of the middle class. European countries are not poor. Try looking at rural China. The middle class would look on the purchase of your "dirt cheap" used electronics as a "someday if we get lucky" dream. There are over 6 billion people on this planet, and of that there are probably 4 billion who are worse off than the worst of our poor. I can tell you first hand that the average American - and from your reactions that includes you - haven't a foggy clue what it really means to be genuinely POOR. Even the majority of our "poor" do not know. Poor is not eating off of food stamps while living in a run down 2 bedroom apartment in a cheap assed rent-assistance district in the slums. By standards of the world, that is middle class.

I wasn't comparing the poor in the United States to the poor the developing countries. I'm well aware that the average American (median income, average size household) is among the top 8-10% of the richest people in the world by annual income standards. That's why I wasn't making that comparison. I was talking about relative to other developed countries.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Well after searching for hours all I can find are customer reports of lower power. So while I don't believe other wise, I cannot verify my assertion (though neither can it be denounced) and retract all statements contrary to available evidence at this time. Should I find something more substantial I'll let you know.

 

[Rune]

Well after searching for hours all I can find are customer reports of lower power. So while I don't believe other wise, I cannot verify my assertion (though neither can it be denounced) and retract all statements contrary to available evidence at this time. Should I find something more substantial I'll let you know.

Yes, you get less power, so even though the per unit price is lower, consumption is higher, and around here at least, the cost works out about the same. You do save on oil changes and engine maintainence though.

 

[Rune]

I have no problem going with electric cars vs. the current environment, but I think you are incorrect to say it is more effective than CNG. The utilities burn either coal or nat gas to produce the electricity. Thus, you are still increasing demand for nat gas by the usage amount and likely (though I am not positive) losing energy in the exchange. I would rather go direct nat gas burn make car go.

Here is how it actualy works, I don't care whether you believe me or not;

An internal combustion engine is about 20% efficient (gasoline or gasous fuel)

to 30% efficent (diesel). An electric motor is about 90%.

An electric generating station (coal or nat gas) is about 50% (limited by the ultimate efficiency of the steam turbine used regardless of fuel.

Even taking into account transmission losses and shipping costs of generator fuel, an electric car uses about half as much energy (and causes the release of half as much greenhouse gases) as an internal combustion engine.

Since only 10% of our electricity is from oil, trade imbalance is affected imediately by every electric car. If the power is from a nat gas gen station, then of couse it is much cleaner than coal.

The beauty of electric cars though is that many owners could generate their own power with solar panels, truly zero emmisions.

Natural gas should be reserved for medium distance trucks, those that drive too far to utilize batteries.