| Updated: 11/10/2009 10:25 pm |
Published: 11/10/2009 7:24 pm
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Trying to predict what gas prices will be is nearly impossible. If it makes you feel any better, even the people selling the gas say it's a bit of a guessing game. QuikTrip Public Affairs Manager, Mike Thornbrugh, told FOX23 supply and deman are the most basic factors. When supply goes down, due to a hurricane in the gulf shutting down refineries, prices go up. Supply and demand are only a part of pricing. That is only part of the puzzle.
Why do prices always seem to spike around holidays?
Thornbrugh pointed out, the holiday price spike doesn't happen all of the time. For example, during this past Labor Day weekend, prices actually dropped. When they do spike though, he said it happens because many holidays just happen to fall during the change of seasons. During the change of seasons, he said gas companies are forced by law to change the blend of gasoline they sell.
Thornbrugh said, "During certian periods of time, you're forced to switch over from winter gas to summer gas. There's a transition period, and to do that it's more expensive."
Thornbrugh said new laws are also bringing about a type of gas many of you had questions about: ethanol. Thornbrugh said the ten percent ethanol gasoline actually cleans your engine. He also said, it doesn't get the mileage that non-ethanol gas does.
Thornbrugh said, "You'll lose about on average... it averages about 2 -3 percent less effiiency."
In most of the states where QuikTrip sells gas, gasoline with ethanol is required by law. Thornbrugh said QT expects the same to happen in Tulsa soon. He said, "Whether we like it or not, more and more of it is going to be available because Congress has passed laws so each year more and more gallons have to contain ethanol."
