GAS RATIONS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13056, 26 January 1943, Page 3

GAS RATIONS

NEW BASIC FIGURE IN THE U.S.A.

In the U.S.A. permanent form for gasoline rationing in the East, reportedly soon to be extended to the whole country as a means of conserving rubber, will provide basically for 2880 miles of driving a year at 15 miles to the gallon. Former average use was about 8800 miles a year. Car owners are to divide their driving between that for "family purposes," 1800 miles, and driving to work. If driving to work can be shown to require more than 1800 miles, a year, which is 6 miles a day for 300 working days, extra rations will be granted, all subject to the ability of the motorist to buy the fuel. There has been an actual shortage at many points and people cannot always buy even what present cards entitle them to. The 2880 miles is calculated by the Government to be enough to exercise tyres and keep them from rotting, but not enough to wear them out quickly.

Substantial Economy.—The Tilling Group in England are saving petrol at the rate of 250,000 gallons per annum by operating omnibuses on producer gas. A still larger number of omnibuses is being converted to run on this alternative fuel.