Unless international tensions ease to the point where the cost of crude oil drops significantly, there's nothing to suggest that consumer fuel prices will be falling anytime in the near future.
People who buy hybrids also want to support the innovative technology to spur a technological answer to the challenge of high fuel prices and dependence on foreign oil.
Fuel consumption rises two percent every year in California; yet we haven't built a refinery in years and a number of them have even closed. But no one wants a refinery in their backyard.
I would not be surprised to see continued price increases at least in the short term. September could be an unpleasant month when it comes to fuel prices.
Prices are high -- the question is why? We have enough crude oil and gasoline to meet current demand, and yet the cost of fuel continues to cause budget concerns for many consumers.
This is just the beginning. People tend to drive more as the weather warms up, and the resulting increase in consumption triggers higher fuel costs.