Another first tank

I trust that is a per liter price?

Ah, but how much do you pay for your health care, etc? I hear people compare the price of gas in the U.S. to Europe all the time but they never seem to recognize that the European gas taxes are paying for social programs we don't have here. Given the miles I drive, with my current Odyssey, I would pay about $2200 a year in gas taxes in Denmark. My medical insurance and co payments are WAY more than that. Hell, my family's "after the insurance break" prescription drugs cost more than that. I'm lucky to be able to afford it. Those that can't either don't get help or don't get sick.
Isn't the grass nicely green on the other side of the pond

 

Alsnog gefeliciteerd met je nieuwe auto! I forgot to congratulate you on getting your car. As a fellow Dutchie, though living in the US, I am glad to hear that the Prius is catching on out there as well.

That's a pretty good first tank you got. I have had 6 or 7 fill-ups so far, and my mileage is fairly constant around 49mpg.

I agree with the previous poster, people in the US are lucky to have these highly subsidized gas prices of less than $2 a gallon. But even though health care is getting more expensive in the Netherlands, it is still a lot cheaper than here. The education system is also way better and more affordable, as is the government system (although I'm not very fond of the current one). But here (at least in Portland, OR) it is way easier to find apartments for rent, and to buy a house is fairly affordable. I guess each country has its advantages and disadvantages.

PS: What happened to the Spanish Inquisition? And what is your new avatar?

Esther

 

A small point, but U.S. gas prices aren't subsidized. It might seem that way with our relatively lower fuel tax compared to the socialized governments in the E.U., but everyone pays about the same worldwide for the base product courtesy of OPEC.

Still, of the total cost of a gallon of gas here, most is comprised of an incredibly regressive tax that hits low income people hardest. I understand the logic politicians use (discourage high fuel consumption vehicles), but it's a red herring.

For example, here in Oregon, one of the highest fuel tax states, it's said that the money goes to the state DOT. Their bi-annual budget is around $2.7 billion, yet not one new mile of new state highway has been built in the past decade. Instead, the taxes are first siphoned to fund the lavish public employee retirement system, the most generous in the nation.

Also, I don't consider Portland an affordable city any longer. I think it was Barron's (?) that just last week rated us the 4th most expensive city in the country when factoring housing, income, taxes, etc. I don't see it getting any better with the artificial urban growth boundary continuing to inflate home prices well above the national median. /rant

 

Way to go!!!!!!!! It is strange but I almost wish I could go to the gas station more. My third tank and I still can't belive I can drive 575 miles on 10.7 gals.

 

And I feel like I'll never get past the first bar on my first tank of gas!! I don't get the chance to drive enough....only had the car a week though but I love it!! The display says about 43 mpg so I hope it gets better with time...

 

Every first tank for a Prius is a good first tank!

 

The thing that blows me away is how much the m.p.g. varies going one way vrs. the other. I took my daughter and her god son to Seattle Zoo I gained going, lost coming from Olympia to Seattle. Same is true for my commute. I am going to have to get my Topographical maps out.

 

Not to mention making the car lighter! I think your car is full of hot air Tony, so I suspect you are getting better than average mpg.