Why are gas prices so high right now and how can you increase fuel efficiency?
Posted January 28, 2022 7:06 pm.
Last Updated January 28, 2022 7:16 pm.
With stations posting record-high gas prices in the Greater Toronto Area and other regions across Canada, experts say the Ukraine-Russia border crisis along with several other factors are affecting what people are paying at the pumps.
“All eyes and all focus has to be on averting at all costs what is happening in eastern Europe,” Dan McTeague, a gas price watchdog and president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, told CityNews on Friday, adding a de-escalation could result in an eight-cent-a-litre drop.
“Over the past week or so we have now seen some sabre-rattling by Vladimir Putin and Russia (with) 120,000 troops on the border of Ukraine and the possibility of war has got what’s called a ‘war premium’ now being introduced to the price of oil pushing it to $87, $88 a barrel.”
Roger McKnight, a senior petroleum analyst with En-Pro International Inc., reiterated the same concerns to CityNews 680.
He also said a drop in the supply of the key ingredients in gas along with increased demand as well as refinery maintenance are contributing to woes.
McKnight said $1.80 or $1.90 a litre might not be out of the question later in 2022. McTeague said even by the end of the weekend there could be another small bump in prices.
When it comes to the level of concern over the issue, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) conducted a survey between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1.
“Canadians are definitely feeling the pinch of higher gas prices. We’re out and about a lot more, volume has picked up, and people are noticing that those gas prices are significantly higher than they were the previous year when things were a little different,” Teresa Di Felice, associate vice-president of government and community relations with CAA South Central Ontario, told CityNews on Friday.
RELATED: Toronto and GTA gas prices
She said around 15 per cent of those surveyed reported gas price increases leading to major changes to their driving habits while 70 per cent said they needed to maintain their current driving patterns due to work and errands like groceries.
Di Felice said in the GTA, the average price around this time in 2021 was at around $1.11 a litre but now the average price is around $1.48.
“That’s a significant increase and people are feeling it,” she said.
CityNews saw prices hitting up to $1.519 at some stations in Toronto on Friday, marking a record for the area.
With respect to the factors leading to elevated costs, she concurred with the points made by McTeague and McKnight — noting weather and tax levels also have a role in the current situation.
Anecdotally, Di Felice added the organization has also responded to an increase in calls from members reporting they are out of gas (828 calls up until Thursday versus 572 calls up until the same day in 2021) as part of a larger increase in requests for assistance.
“Sometimes because we aren’t driving as much, we get in vehicles and see gas is low, but as we’re going toward gas pumps we’re saying, ‘Wow the gas prices are really high I’m going to hold off a little bit,'” she said, encouraging people to keep the gas tank at least a quarter full.
“We do recommend instead of taking it right down to the wire, fill up a little bit instead of filling up a full tank. It’s good for your car and it’s safer for you so that you’re not experiencing a situation where you’re running out of gas at a dangerous spot.”
Fuel efficiency tips
Di Felice offered several tips for reducing fuel usage when possible.
Watch your speed: She said as you go above 50 km/h, fuel efficiency starts to drop off and as you approach 100 km/h it drops off more noticeably.
Don’t idle: Di Felice encouraged people to start up vehicles and wait a few seconds, and then drive on allowing the vehicle to warm up through operation.
Reduce vehicle weight and drag: She suggested removing things like roof racks and storage pods as well as other unnecessary items from the vehicle to help reduce drag, which can help result in less fuel consumption.
Keep up with maintenance: Di Felice said don’t skip on regular maintenance and ensure oil changes are done, filters are replaced and tires are properly inflated.
With files from Shauna Hunt
