Is winter-blend gas more expensive?

In winter, gasoline blends have a higher Reid vapor pressure, meaning they evaporate more easily and allow gasoline to ignite more easily to start your car in cold temperatures. This blend is cheaper to produce, which results in lower gas prices at the pumps from late September through late April.

Are gas prices cheaper in the winter?

Weather conditions, such as hurricanes, can also affect gas prices in the late summer to fall months. Unlike in the spring, the change to winter-blend fuel is not required. However, because winter-blend fuel costs less, retailers often sell the fuel blend to remain price competitive.

Why are gas prices lower in the winter?

Seasonal demand and specifications for gasoline Gasoline prices are generally lower in winter months. Gasoline specifications and formulations also change seasonally. Environmental regulations require that gasoline sold in the summer be less prone to evaporate during warm weather.

Is natural gas cheaper in summer or winter?

The pricing of natural gas typically follows demand for the commodity, which is why prices are usually highest during winter months. Depending on how warm or cold the weather has been, and is projected to be during the winter, natural gas rates may increase or decrease.

When do they switch from summer blend to winter blend gasoline?

That’s right – cheaper gas comes with the changing of seasons. Today, September 15, gasoline refineries switch from making more expensive, summer-blend gasoline to cheaper, winter-blend gasoline. What are the differences between these fuels and how do they impact your wallet?

How is winter blend gas measured in California?

California might start using winter-blend gasoline early in a desperate attempt to bring down gas prices. But what is winter-blend gas, anyway? The different grades of gas are measured on a system of RVP, or Reid Vapor Pressure, which is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The higher the RVP number of a particular gas blend,…

Is it cheaper to use gas in winter?

Before you get too happy about the cheaper gas prices coming at us for the winter, though, consider this: the EPA says that the lower-cost winter gas also contains slightly less energy than summer gas, so your fuel efficiency is probably going to go down a bit over the next few months. You win some, you lose some.

Do you use low volatility gasoline in the winter?

In frigid temperatures, higher-volatility fuel is essential and does not cause the smog effect it would in the summer. Using low-RVP fuel is a nonstarter in freezing weather; the engine won’t turn over or might misfire.