Gas prices in Central Florida have surged to their highest levels in four years. Average prices in Orlando are now over $4.20 per gallon, and some stations in Palm Bay are charging $4.39 per gallon.This is the time of year when stations start using a different blend of gas, one that’s more expensive. But an order from the state means they can keep using the slightly cheaper blend.Antonio Darling, part of a landscaping crew in Palm Bay, shared his frustration as he filled up multiple trucks and equipment. “Gas prices too much for me,” Darling said. Another driver expressed similar concerns. “It’s extremely high, a lot more than I expected, but we have to get it no matter what,” the driver said. The price hike is linked to the war in Iran, which has disrupted crude oil supplies. “Oil prices have shot up $67 since this conflict began. We’re now back over $100 a barrel,” Mark Jenkins with AAA said. In response, the Florida Department of Agriculture enacted an emergency rule that went into effect today, allowing gas stations to continue selling the cheaper winter blend of fuel instead of switching to the more expensive summer blend. “Switching from winter blend to summer blend, which typically happens this time of year, would lead to an additional 10 to 30 cent increase,” Jenkins said. AAA noted that the winter blend comes with trade-offs, including reduced fuel efficiency and the potential for vapor lock in vehicles during hotter months. Since many stations still have the winter formula, prices are unlikely to drop, but will avoid further increases due to the seasonal switch. “I’m in the transportation industry, and when gas goes extra high, that’s bad for business and, of course, the household,” another driver said.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Gas prices in Central Florida have surged to their highest levels in four years.
Average prices in Orlando are now over $4.20 per gallon, and some stations in Palm Bay are charging $4.39 per gallon.
This is the time of year when stations start using a different blend of gas, one that’s more expensive. But an order from the state means they can keep using the slightly cheaper blend.
Antonio Darling, part of a landscaping crew in Palm Bay, shared his frustration as he filled up multiple trucks and equipment.
“Gas prices too much for me,” Darling said.
Another driver expressed similar concerns.
“It’s extremely high, a lot more than I expected, but we have to get it no matter what,” the driver said.
The price hike is linked to the war in Iran, which has disrupted crude oil supplies.
“Oil prices have shot up $67 since this conflict began. We’re now back over $100 a barrel,” Mark Jenkins with AAA said.
In response, the Florida Department of Agriculture enacted an emergency rule that went into effect today, allowing gas stations to continue selling the cheaper winter blend of fuel instead of switching to the more expensive summer blend.
“Switching from winter blend to summer blend, which typically happens this time of year, would lead to an additional 10 to 30 cent increase,” Jenkins said.
AAA noted that the winter blend comes with trade-offs, including reduced fuel efficiency and the potential for vapor lock in vehicles during hotter months.
Since many stations still have the winter formula, prices are unlikely to drop, but will avoid further increases due to the seasonal switch.
“I’m in the transportation industry, and when gas goes extra high, that’s bad for business and, of course, the household,” another driver said.