- published: 29 Dec 2014
- views: 15445
The usage and pricing of gasoline or petrol results from factors such as crude oil prices, processing and distribution costs, local demand, the strength of local currencies, local taxation, and the availability of local sources of gasoline (supply). Since fuels are traded worldwide the trade prices are similar, the price paid by consumers largely reflects national pricing policy: some regions, such as Europe and Japan, impose high taxes on gasoline (petrol); others, such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, subsidize the cost. Western countries have among the highest usage rates per person. The largest consumer is the United States, which used an average of 386 million US gallons (1.46 gigalitres) each day in 2005.
U.S. petroleum consumption reached an estimated 18.87 million barrels per day in 2011, and is expected to increase to 18.96 million barrels per day in 2012. U.S. gasoline demand decreased to an average of 8.75 million barrels per day in 2011 (approximately 368 million gallons per day), or about 41 million fill-ups per day (based on a 9-gallon fill-up). Demand for 2012 is projected to continue to decline to 8.74 million barrels per day. Drivers in the United States traveled 8.105 billion miles per day in 2011, and are expected to travel 8.158 billion miles per day in 2012. This equates to an average of 33 miles per vehicle per day. On average, U.S. drivers consume 1.49 gallons of gasoline per day, or about 10.44 gallons per week.