We won't be paying anything like what Europe pays, because the majority of the cost in Europe is TAX and the US government knows better. The last thing any administration needs to deal with is a gasoline crisis like the late 70's early 80's. Bush has three years left, he can't not act and potentially screw the next republican candidate.

What you'll see if gas prices come down to about $40 a barrel over the next year or so with Gasoline prices dropping to less than $2 a gallon in the 18 months leading up to the next election.

The fact of the matter is that if you look at the worlds oil drilling and what they think is left, for the last 20 years the number has gone UP not down, that's due to better technology, refining and cheaper costs. Gasoline will be around long after we are gone. However if any of you play with the stock market there are a few good alternative fuel companies starting to make their mark, their costs are coming down substantially making alternative fuels more competitive but some share and these will work out long term.

One last thing is you are looking at a hybrid, forget about it, you won't save any money. i think 300K miles is the magic number when you start to save money on a hybrid (purchase price of hybrid model vs regular model, maint costs, new batteries after a few years etc etc). Fuel cell will be the way to go!