An international poll by the Associated Press and Ipsos asked drivers what they thought was a fair gas price. It may not be surprising that respondents in all nine countries thought the fair price was lower than they were paying. Americans, of course, have the expectations of the lowest prices.
More below,
This is what Green Car Congress wrote about the poll:
Interestingly, the percentage delta between prices paid and the average perceived fair price varies far less than the actual prices of gasoline in the different countries.
The delta between actual and ideal varies less than the actual gas prices. In the US, for example, with an average national price of $2.85 per gallon, respondents on average identified a fair price as $1.99--30% less. In France, where current prices are around $5.82 per gallon, drivers on average identified a fair price as being around $4.08--also 30% less.
When asked "Over the next six months, do you expect that increases in the price of gasoline will cause financial hardship for you or your family, or not?" the following percentages said yes.
U.S. -69
Canada -65
S Korea -85
Australia -63
France -77
Germany -31
Italy -74
Spain -67
U.K. -52
When asked "Do you think (country's government) could act to limit increases in the price of gasoline, or do you think (country's government) is really helpless when it comes to increases in the price of gasoline?" the following percentages said the government could act.
U.S. -66
Canada -77
S Korea -24
Australia -71
France -89
Germany -29
Italy -65
Spain -69
U.K. -68
Here's a link to the results (pdf document).
What I find interesting is that here in the US, bastion of capitalism, we demand the lowest gas prices. We demand subsidized gas. Gas and vehicle taxes do not pay for the cost of roads, parking lots, and other auto-related infrastructure, not to mention air pollution, and water pollution caused by cars, not even close. Nor do the health costs of accident victims and those ill from the effect of auto pollution come from gas taxes. America’s drivers may not be getting a free ride, but it is damn cheap.