Carbon fiber prices on the rise

The rise in the price of oil not only has effect on gasoline, but also many of the components that go into making a car, like plastics. One of the more surprising byproducts of oil is carbon fiber. Starting this month, the second and third largest makers of the ultra-light, ultra-strong material will raise their prices by as much as 30 percent.

Although cars that usually use carbon fiber in their construction are already demanding a premium price, this becomes an even bigger problem as mainstream automakers are trying to use lighter materials to improve gas mileage in everyday cars. On the brighter side, it may finally be too expensive for people with Honda Civics from the 80s to afford the carbon fiber gear shift knobs.