Aussie gas prices rise as the mercury rises, despite warmer weather
Gasoline prices have risen sharply in Australia as the cold snap has lifted, and consumers are finding ways to cut back on the fuel.
The average Australian household gas price has risen by $2.13 per litre in the past fortnight to a new record of $2,061, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
That’s up from $1,907 last month.
Gasoline is also up 4 per cent in NSW and 5 per cent nationally, with consumers using an average of 7.6 litres per household, according the Australian Gas Association (AGA).
But some consumers have taken to reducing their consumption of petrol, which is used in cars, trucks and trains, in the hope of saving money.
Australian motorists are using an aggregate of 2.6 million litres of petrol per day in the current week, according data from fuel regulator RAC.
The price increase is partly because of colder weather, with average temperatures in the country rising by 2 degrees Celsius.
“Gasoline prices are rising because of the colder weather in the US, so people are turning to alternatives to replace that fuel,” said Matt Taylor, a senior analyst with energy consultant Frost & Snow.
Mr Taylor says the Australian gas market is “still very weak”.
“The supply is still weak and the price is still low, which means the supply will always be lower than demand,” he said.
“It means the price will continue to rise as people use less petrol.”
While there are some signs that gas prices are rebounding, the rise has come at a cost to the economy.
The average household in Australia is spending $3,942 more than a year ago on fuel.
That compares to an average household spending $2 to $2a year ago.
The increase in the average Australian family’s gas bill is partly driven by higher prices for fuel.
In January, the average price of a litre of petrol was $2 per litne.
But by February, the cost had climbed to $3.26 per lite.
As a result, some households are now using less petrol to reduce their spending.
“The government has not done enough to lower gas prices,” Mr Taylor said.
It’s unclear what impact the warmer weather will have on petrol prices.
Last week, the US and UK introduced a package of measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
At the time, US President Donald Trump said it would be “in the interest of the US” to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
But Australia’s government has warned that the measures have been “a complete disaster” for the economy, and the US is still trying to come to grips with the impact of its emissions reduction plan.
Australia’s Government has been criticised for failing to prepare for the winter storm.