The Intersection of Gas Prices and Purchase Limits

You know how many gas stations have stickers on their pumps stating that if you spend more than X amount on gas you'll have to re-swipe? Where I go that limit is $75 and I had previously not tested that limit.

Unfortunately, due to a gross combination of a price per gallon of ~$3.90 and a relatively empty fuel tank, I ran up against this limit this morning whilst refueling.  It was almost like a game; I watched with intent as the price soared past $60 and my draft neared the approximately 19 gallons I needed.  I initially guessed that the automatic nozzle shut-off would kick in before the purchase limit would, but in the final stretch of the race the pump started slowing down, indicating a victory for the purchase limit was near.

I decided not to re-swipe for the approximately tenth of a gallon I was short for a full fill-up, but as I got back into my car I started thinking about what this could mean for the future.  I’ll bet they are unlikely to increase the purchase limits anytime soon, so as gas prices head for the $5 a gallon mark this summer, will I fill up sooner to avoid doubling up on my fuel transactions or go through the hassle of swiping my card twice?  I’m not sure I know the answer.  While I’m no fanboy of high gas prices, if it helps motivate the very capable human race to get us into the next chapter of energy production and distribution, I believe it will be worth it.  Personally, I hope solar becomes a prime method of producing energy and hydrogen becomes the prime method of storing and distributing that energy.  But we shall see;  in the meantime, I’ll (somewhat) happily pay the higher gas prices to those companies who are investing in clean, renewable energy (hint: not ExxonMobil).