As more consumers turn to services like peer-to-peer rental-car outfits rather than Hertz, local authorities are penalizing participants with fines and ordering the companies to cease operations. Is it still safe to share?
Energy
‘Big Gas Savings’: Kmart’s Funny Followup to the Viral ‘Ship My Pants’ Ad
The all-purpose discount retailer appears to have struck viral goofy gold yet again, with an online ad promoting “big gas savings.”
Drive for Free? Deals on Electric Cars Keep on Coming
For many consumers, electric-vehicle ownership has been a nonstarter for purely financial reasons. The math indicated that the money one saved in gas from an EV was usually outweighed by the car’s high initial price. But the math …
Memorial Day Gas Prices: After Wild Ride, About Where We Were Last Year
The national average for a gallon of regular is almost exactly the same as it was for Memorial Day 2012. And yet, for the past two years, the periods leading up to Memorial Day couldn’t be more different.
MPG Rising: When Regulations Drive Up Prices—And Consumers Don’t Mind
If there’s one thing Americans would seem to hate more than regulations, it’s regulations that directly result in them spending more money out of pocket. So why are so many consumers fans of new government-mandated automobile …
Is the Price of Gold Signaling an Economic Slowdown?
Gold and other commodities seem to be signaling that the U.S. economy is sluggish and will get weaker still.
Light Switch: Why You’ll Start Using LED Bulbs This Year
LED bulbs are already the go-to technology for illuminating cell phones, tablets and TVs. They haven’t become the standard in the lamps and lights in American households, however, largely because they’re so expensive. But as prices drop sharply, the upgrade to LED makes more and more sense.
2013 Gas Prices: Even Less Predictable Than Usual
What can drivers expect going forward in terms of gas prices? Probably more of the same—meaning more unpredictability, not necessarily more price drops.
Is the Global Economy Slowly Falling Apart?
For Americans, the economy is likely to remain sluggish for several years, but the long-term outlook isn’t nearly as bad as the pessimists say
Gas Prices Almost Never Decline in March—But They Did Last Month
Traditionally, gas prices have risen in the spring and peaked during the high-demand summer months. Last year, though, prices spiked starting in February and reached their highs in early May, before declining slightly in summer. …
Buy an Electric Car, Get a Gas-Powered Car Free
A buy-one-get-one-free special on cars? Not exactly. To ease consumer concerns about the limited driving range of electric vehicles, two automakers are giving buyers free access to traditional gas-powered rental cars and loaners throughout the year.
Could It Be? Gas Prices Are Around 25¢ Cheaper Than Last Year
The current national average per gallon of gas, $3.65, probably doesn’t seem all that cheap. Not compared to the beginning of the year, when prices were 10% cheaper. And especially not compared to a few years ago, when gas sold …