Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Alex Cabrero reportingSomething happened in Utah Wednesday that's only happened once before.
Give up?
It's the price of gas: Regular unleaded and diesel were selling for an all-time high.
There's public transportation, carpooling, bicycles. But you know, a lot of us just like the freedom of driving our own car. But lately, doing so has come at a price. A big price.
Of all the things we want to say at gas pumps lately, this man, may be the only one we can air.
"It’s ridiculous."
Prices haven't come down, and when you drive a big ole' diesel truck...
"57 dollars."
…filling up means... well... good luck.
"Pretty much nothing you can do. It's outrageous, yeah, a little expensive."
There's nothing little about it. Gas prices in the Salt Lake City area are averaging a record 2.27 for regular unleaded, 2.48 for diesel. That's up 10 cents for unleaded and 22 cents for diesel from a month ago. It is up nearly 20 cents and 60 cents from a year ago.
One of the reasons AAA of Utah says prices are so high right now: The hurricanes coming up the Gulf of Mexico. But even still, most would agree prices have been high for quite some time now.
"Have to downsize or something. Motorcycle, something, I don't know."
She doesn't know, but Brandon Crapo does.
Brandon Crapo, Ken Garff Honda Downtown: "With fuel prices the way they are, people are looking for ways to drive and get a little better fuel economy."
He sells Hondas, and hybrids like the Accord and other models, get between 50 to 70 miles per gallon.
Brandon Crapo, Ken Garff Honda Downtown: "I don't even have one to test drive right now. Like I said, in probably a week, I’ll have one for people to drive."
Hybrid sales are still small, but when they do come in, they're gone... fast.
Brandon Crapo, Ken Garff Honda Downtown: "With all the emissions, and the heat and the ozone problems we've had as of late, people want to help the environment out. The hybrid is a way to do that."
It's certainly a way to save gas money as well. No one knows how much longer prices will stay like this. If they continue, maybe the way we drive will be the thing that has to change.
