BC drivers have high tolerance for increasing gas prices: BCAA

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – They’ve been rising steadily for months and it looks like people in BC are more willing to pay for high gas prices. That’s according to a new survey by BCAA.

One analyst thinks it might just be because we feel resigned to a life of pricey pumps.


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The survey finds people in BC are willing to let the price rise as high as $1.80/L for regular before changing their driving and spending habits. That amount is above the national average which is $1.70/L for regular.

However, gas analyst Michael Ervin with Kent Group Ltd. says people around the world are more willing to accept rising prices than we think. “The concern over pump prices really happens around times when pump prices are going up. Once they stay high then the level of attention goes up and people just adapt to that new higher price.”

He adds changing habits can be hard when people rely on their vehicle to get to work, shopping and to drive their kids around.

Ervin points to Europe where gas prices are much higher, but less volatile and people have adapted.

Gas prices are expected to go up again this long weekend, possibly to $1.65/L for regular in some areas.

BCAA says if you want to reduce the amount of gas you may use, even by a bit, cut the number of times you slam on the gas or hit the brakes too hard and avoid speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic.

We here at NEWS 1130 are helping you find the best gas prices across the Lower Mainland.

Listen live at :59 past the hour, when we’ll tell you the prices for a litre of regular fuel in places like Vancouver, Langley, Abbotsford, and down in Blaine — as spotted by you.

Help us by tweeting us prices that you spot @1130gastracker. You can also post to our Facebook page or call our listener line at 604.877.6332.

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