$2.50, $3.00, $4.00, $5.00 a gallon. Gas prices have steadily increased in the past year putting pressure on businesses and household budgets alike. One way to adapt to high gas costs is to adjust lifestyles and driving habits until prices go down.
Looking for some ideas to save money on gas? In this post, we’ll take a look at gas prices, compare electric cars to gas-powered ones, and provide tips on how to save on gas.
Why do Gas Prices Fluctuate?
According to CNN, global issues and the pandemic are the main drivers of rising gas prices.
The war between Russia and Ukraine is a major reason as Russia sent millions of crude oil barrels to global markets, with little of that going to the United States right before they invaded Ukraine. Since then, the United States banned imports of Russian energy, oil included.
The pandemic has also affected the rise of gas prices. Since fewer people traveled and drove during the pandemic, there was a slowdown in gas consumption since less of it was needed. As society returned to normal, the oil supply has not and less of it is available than before.
Flagger Force Fleet—How to Save Money on Gas
Workers who drive Flagger Force trucks often travel long distances which can consume lots of gas. Together, our fleet puts more than a million miles on the road per month. Here are tips to reduce mileage, save gas and reduce maintenance costs.
- Limit a truck’s usage to breaks only, emergencies, and traveling or transportation.
- Be mindful of the use of heating or air conditioning, especially when the truck is not being actively used.
- Fill up with gas on the way to or from a job instead of going on off days.
- Use cruise-control when traveling on highways.
Electric vs. Gas Cars—Pros and Cons
As gas prices soar, many people ask the question, “Is it worth it to buy an electric car?”
There are both pros and cons to electric cars with the same thing being said about gas-powered cars. Some advantages to electric cars are gas savings (the cost of electricity is much less than gas). Buyers can also qualify for tax credits using an electric car, plus maintenance costs are lower.
Some cons to electric cars are that they tend to be much more expensive than gas cars. They also take hours to charge, which can be inconvenient for the driver, and on top of that, they have limited mileage per charge. According to MetroMile, the average gas car gets 400 miles per tank, while the average electric car only gets 250-300 miles per charge.
Get the Most Out of Every Drop of Gas
- Use A/C less often. Drive with the windows down.
- Drive with your friends or family if you are going to the same place.
- Tune up your car. Maintenance issues can often lead to decreased gas mileage.
- Turn off your engine when parked. Idling burns a lot of gas in your car.
- Keep proper air pressure in your tires. Air pressure decreases about every 30 days.
- Plan your routes. Pick the most efficient routes to avoid traveling unnecessary miles.
- Empty your trunk and backseat of unneeded items. The added extra weight can lead to decreased gas mileage.
- Join a fuel rewards program. You can get money off per gallon.
- Plan fill-ups. Gas gets more expensive as the week goes on so fill up Monday or Tuesday for the cheapest prices of the week.
- Use apps such as “GasBuddy” or “GasGuru.” Find the cheapest gas in your area.
- Use credit cards that offer cash back on gas. This can save you a few bucks per fill-up.
- Get a warehouse club membership. Places like “BJ’s” or “Sam’s Club” often have much cheaper gas than gas stations.
- Avoid driving aggressively. Quick accelerations lead to bad gas mileage.
- Avoid driving at speeds over 50 mph. Efficiency decreases as soon as you go over 50 mph.
Saving Money on Gas is Possible
During periods of high as gas prices, use these tips and practice safer driving on the road to save money and increase safety which also saves you time and money!
Additional Sources:
www.cnn.com/2022/06/01/energy/record-gas-price-causes/index.html
www.forbes.com/wheels/advice/gas-saving-tips/
www.wdam.com/2022/06/07/save-money-gas-with-these-fuel-saving-tips/
www.pennsylvaniagasprices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx
www.metromile.com/blog/electric-cars-pros-and-cons/
www.incharge.org/financial-literacy/budgeting-saving/gas-saving-tips/
www.axios.com/2022/06/08/gas-prices-money-savings-tips-apps
www.compare.com/electric-cars/guides/electric-vs-gas-cars
