The ripple-effects of soaring gas prices are continuing to spread – in fact, they're turning into waves. More people are “getting on the bus” and using mass transit, riding their bikes, and changing their driving habits. Consumers are largely convinced that the rising prices are here to stay, and likely will only get worse.

Another outcome of increasingly expensive fuel: people are scrambling to ditch their inefficient SUVs. From Earthfirst:

SUVs are flooding the used car market as people realize that the behemoths are unnecessary, stupid environment killers – no, scratch, that, it’s because of gas prices. Well, whatever works, right?

And the Associated Press reports:

Used SUV sales in March were down 14 percent nationally compared to last year, according to data compiled by CNW Marketing Research. That follows drops in used SUV sales of more than 8 percent for the first two months of the year, compared to the same months in 2007.

That trend has sent used SUV prices plummeting, giving owners a shock when they try to trade theirs in and find out how little they can get.

It sometimes takes an economic impetus for people to do the “right” - in this case green – thing. Frankly, I'm shocked as I watch how all-pervasive are the effects of the relatively minor fuel price increases we've seen. When gas prices in the U.S. resemble the rest of the world, our mass transit infrastructure, preference for smaller, more efficient cars, and support of cycling are sure to follow suit.

See also:
U.S. Car Sales Crash in 2008
Higher Fuel Costs Create Healthier Habits
Mainstream Media Covers Gas Crisis, Mass Transit Spike, and Changing World
Completing the Circle: Gas at the Pump, War in Iraq, and Global Warming

Photo via flickr by fensterbme.

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John said:

I just did a rough calculation. Here in the UK, I reckon we pay about $8.12 a gallon. Yet - anectdotally at least - cars here seem bigger than ever and SUVs seem to be eveywhere. Perhaps it needs to rise a bit further before it really has an impact.

May 16, 2008 | url

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