Does anybody know

[lanalucy]

where a regular person without a fleet of commercial vehicles can find information on converting a vehicle from gasoline to an alternative fuel? I might be looking in the wrong places, but all I seem to find is government programs for fleet vehicles, and that's not me.

It's my understanding that gas prices are going down for now, but then up again in the spring, to over $3 per gallon, and staying there. With my truck, that's just not doable in the long run, and in the short run, it takes 25% of my weekly check to fill up my tank. Not on. Makes buying groceries much too difficult.

I've considered having a second, smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle for every day, keeping the truck only for actual hauling of people and things, and it's just not in the budget.

I'm hoping that there is a conversion program of some kind for regular folk. Anybody know where I can find out?

Comments

[loveanddarkness.livejournal.com]

Couldn't you sell the truck and buy something more fuel efficient for everyday? Do you have to have a truck so often that you can't rent one on those occassions?

[lanalucy]

With selling stuff on eBay, I do need this thing often enough that renting a truck just for that would be cost-prohibitive. I pick up stuff myself at garage sales, or from clients who are "consigning" stuff to me to sell.

I've also considered parking it during the week, but then I did the math. DART would take me 3 hours -one way- to get from Carrollton to UTD, and there is no bus service from Carrollton to Frisco. Ridiculous.

Curses! Foiled again! :D

Besides all those other considerations, I LOVE my truck. I'm hoping to find a way to have my cake and eat it, too.

[loveanddarkness.livejournal.com]

What do you charge for your consignments?

I could definitely consider consigning some stuff because if all goes like I think it will and hope it will with the latest offer on my house, I have no farking time to hack out listings on eBay.

[lanalucy]

My take for a complete stranger is 35% of the net, meaning after Uncle eBay has taken his cut in fees.

My take for a fellow EMU is 25% of the net. Shipping is completely separate and doesn't affect you one way or the other. I provide sellers with a printed excel spreadsheet with all the money details, so you know I'm giving you what you're supposed to get.

We both have paypal, so getting the money to you would not be an issue, and I have a business account if you prefer actual bankable cash.

I am flexible about when to pay sellers, as some prefer to only be paid when their cut reaches a certain amount, and some prefer to be paid every time an items sells and others prefer to be paid on a regular basis - weekly, monthly, whatever.

I am not an Official eBay Seller's Assistant, but I am ID verified, and have nearly 100% positive feedback. Plus, you've met me. lol

[ltlj.livejournal.com]

I don't know about conversions, thought it seems like there'd be something.

Toyota is selling a hybrid SUV, but it's not nearly as fuel efficient as the Prius. The Prius is really handy, especially since I'm in a small town, and most of my driving is back and forth to grocery store, post office, etc. It's actually better and cheaper to run in stop and go traffic than on the highway, since it turns its motors off whenever it's not moving.

[lanalucy]

Unfortunately, all those hybrid vehicles are completely out of my budget, unless I win the lottery or have a generous long-lost aunt or uncle I don't know about. lol

[ltlj.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we wouldn't have been able to get the Prius except the insurance money let us keep the payments down to something reasonable. But they're apparently selling like hotcakes, so hopefully the prices will come down eventually!