Gas prices are higher than ever, reaching almost four dollars per gallon in much of the U.S. There is much to think about in handling the oil demand and production that puts stress on citizens. The impact of gas does not only affect people, but also the environment. One way people can help environmental disturbances while solving gas prices is through electric cars.
Former journalist and NBC producer Andrew Gross says, “The future is electric.” Electric cars are becoming a big alternative for better efficiency to deal with the costs of fuel.
Gross has mentioned that his electric Hyundai is by far his favorite and most efficient than any other cars he has seen in his life. He stated, “My first car was a Ford Escort L, and the L did not stand for luxury, I think it held about 20 miles.” Now, his current car, a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, holds 40 miles per gallon.
On the other hand, Mr. Gross gave insight that the gasoline prices really are not as bad as people think. He says, “They dip in the fall in early winter, and they begin to rise in the spring. They do it every year… And so, the national average is 3.13, which is pretty cheap.” It is predicted that in mid- November, fuel prices will level out to about $3 a gallon.
As gas prices fluctuate, the impact of hurricanes in Florida can cause an increase in fuel expenses too. With the U.S being the leading producer of oil production, Americans have had chaotic spikes in the prices because of these interruptions.
Another big impact on gas prices was the Russian and Ukrainian war. In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, it threatened a major oil producer. This made a huge frenzy happen that disrupted oil production which many did not think would be a huge problem. Gross said, “That really spooked the oil market, and the oil market went up a lot because Russia is a major oil producer, and nobody knew what a huge war involving a major oil producer would do to global oil.” They are now recovering from this spike, but this shows how everyone can be affected by something in one area.
As time goes on, gasoline prices will continue to dip and rise which is normal and will likely remain this way for a while. Therefore, more people should focus on the growing of electric cars. Andrew Gross went on a trip to Europe over the summer and shared his take on this. “You just charge your car at home, which is a very smart thing to do. So, in many ways Europeans are a bit ahead of us in terms of integrating vehicle and electronic technology and help the world get a little greener”, said Gross. While Europe does not have this type of oil production, in America they have found that the use of electricity helped with the sustainability of gas and made the environment cleaner.
As we continue to face rising gas prices, it is evident that the cost at the pump is impacting more than just our wallets. While we can’t control the global factors driving the increase, staying informed and exploring alternative transportation options can help. Every bit of saving counts, so remember to drive smartly.
