BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) As California drivers head into the summer travel season, they’re seeing the familiar seasonal jump in gas prices tied to the switch to summer-blend fuel. A change that began April 1 and typically adds to the cost at the pump.
“This fuel is designed to perform better in hot weather, evaporate less quickly and help reduce smog and help improve air quality,” said Kandace Redd, a spokesperson for AAA.
California gas stations began selling summer-blend fuel on April 1 as part of a requirement designed to cut emissions.
New U.S. strikes on Iran raise uncertainty for California gas prices amid summer travel (AP Photo/Terry Chea)
The blend is more expensive to produce than winter fuel, but average prices per gallon have eased over the past month after a ceasefire with Iran sparked optimism in the oil market.
Even with that recent easing, prices in California remain the highest in the nation, according to AAA.
“When we look at California, we know that our state continues to lead the nation with the highest gas prices. The state wide average today, five dollars eighty six cents a gallon,” Redd said.
New developments in the Middle East could add fresh uncertainty.
After an Apache helicopter went down while patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said the U.S. launched new strikes on Iran Tuesday. Many are watching to see how an escalation could affect gas prices.
New U.S. strikes on Iran raise uncertainty for California gas prices amid summer travel (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“You know there’s really no telling what could possibly happen next. We know that gas prices continue to you know ride and fall as global oil markets react to tensions in the Middle East,” Redd said.
AAA said it is also watching crude oil prices closely because of their influence on gas prices.
New U.S. strikes on Iran raise uncertainty for California gas prices amid summer travel (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
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“Now we are continuing to watch crude oil prices because again gas prices tend to follow crude oil cost. And we know that at one point crude oil spiked. At time even going over one hundred dollars a barrel,” Redd said.