Hacker News Reader

Comment by rapsey | Hacker News Reader

Fracking is banned in Europe I think pretty much everywhere. It results in earth quakes, underground water and air quality contamination.

But it it provides vast amounts of energy. The US gov cares about different things.

View on HN

> But it it provides vast amounts of energy. The US gov cares about different things.

Some Texans may die, but it's a sacrifice we are willing to make.

I live near Texas. I just filled my car's entire tank of gas (1990 Miata) for ~$22.

How are gas prices in Europe these days?

Here in Denmark it would be around $95 to fill your Miata. Assuming it has a 45l tank.

To be fair, the US also has very low rates of gas tax compared to other OECD countries

I live in Europe and have never owned a car in my life. I don't even have a license. Overall, I like how things are handled here

High, mainly because of high tax rates. This is a good thing, because it reflects the social cost of carbon (plus pollutants, road-building, and other externalities). https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-social-cost-of-carbo...

Assuming a 45 liter tank you'd spend €84.60. Mind that a LOT of that is tax. If you strip off Value Added Tax -- equivalent to sales tax if I understand correctly, though a fair bit higher -- you'd pay €70.50. That still leaves excise tax, which is levied specifically on goods the government wants to discourage. Cigarettes, Alcohol, Gas. Without that you'd pay €34.99.

I'm not sure how the tax breakdown works in Texas, but I'd not be surprised if it'd be one of the main drivers of the price difference.

You'll likely find a US advocacy group behind EU decisions. Murky world.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com