why do the Americans have to guzzle up so much gas"petrol"?

Answer 1

Because they can and they care nothing for the planet

Answer 2

the reason is the country is so big what a European calls a country we call a small state. To get anywhere in a decent amount of time we must travel at 65+ mph or we spend hours on the road. The other problem is the lack of public transit which the public has no stomach for. I know we Americans can do more to lower our consumption like buy smaller more fuel efficient cars and that has begun to happen. The real stumbling block is the notion that small cars are not as safe as big cars once this barrier is gone the SUV will become extinct.

Answer 3

1. There's not a good city based infrastructure in many places.

2. There is a stigma on taking the bus or metro as being a poor people's method of transportation.

3. Gas prices are relatively cheap. People complain about $3 per gallon don't know about the $5.50 per gallon paid on other countries.

On the other hand, it's a big country. If you take the size of the country and the number of people and compare it with the size of, say England and their population, I believe the charts show the US fairly far down the list of consumption.

You know the old saying?

"In the United States, 100 years is a long time,
In England, 100 miles is a long way."

Perspective is necessary.

Answer 4

I have two answers that may seem smarty pants but they are still true-1 For the same reason a dog licks himself -WE CAN! and 2 Judging by your use of the term PETROL I assume you are not AMERICAN and have never been a citizen of a country that has SAVED HUMANITY at least twice! now before you start the tiraid I do NOT hate you or any other countries I just fully believe low fuel prices are my birthright .Now i know this flies in the face of LOGIC but it is what we truly believe -right or wrong Americans believe this but won't readily admit it ,I WILL!!!

Answer 5

It may be the size of the vehicles ,but keep in mind to truck across the states (and Canada) puts a lot of miles ,and takes a lot of gasoline. I work with people who drive from Newfoundland to Alberta That's a 3 day trip non stop (2 people) driving ,and you don't want to do that in a puny little Toyota Echo.

Answer 6

Because there cars usually have big uneconomical petrol guzzling engines, they dont care because petrol is so cheap for them.

Answer 7

All the other Pric%s can STFU. The US is leadning the way in fuel efficiency and ethanol production. You look at the 1.6 billion people in China alone, and not to mention India, who are now becoming industrialized and driving 80's model Yugo's and Chevy Novas, you will find a greater consumption of fossil fuels.

Answer 8

I care I own a 99 cummins powered truck that when i purchased new it would get 18mpg.at best I DO ALL MY OWN MAINTANCE AND TUNEING THE TRUCK NOW GETS 29MPG.ON COOKING OIL and I can pull the gates off hell if needed the truck weighs in at 7200lbs you tell me what the prob. is it`s not all of us AMERICANS it everybody in general

Answer 9

I would love to have a Diesel Toyota,but the Dealers here in the U.S. won't import them. They say nobody wants them,because they are not fast.

Answer 10

Americans use less petro than India or China and those countries are doing nothing to help develope better vehicles.

Answer 11

I suppose we don't "have to" but at current prices it's the best solution for most of our transport requirements. And since US is one of the larger economies, we use a lot of petrol.