Отправлено: 23.08.05 14:21. Заголовок: Gas prices

Over the past few weeks, Albertans have been paying record prices at the gas pumps. A combination of increased summer demand and record-breaking oil prices has caused the price increase, but there are ways to save money on gasoline.

In spite of the increased pump prices, Alberta still has the lowest gasoline prices — and taxes — in Canada. Fuel tax in Alberta is only nine cents a litre, the lowest of the provinces, and it has not increased in more than 14 years. The next lowest fuel tax is 11.5 cents a litre in Manitoba. Gas taxes in Alberta
In addition to the nine cent a litre provincial tax, the federal government also collects a fuel tax of 10 cents a litre. These are flat taxes that do not change with rising gas prices.

GST is also applied to the total cost of gas, including the 19 cents a litre in federal and provincial fuel taxes.

Taxes on fuel in other provinces (2004)

16.5 cents a litre in Newfoundland
15.5 cents a litre in Nova Scotia
15 cents a litre in Saskatchewan
14.7 cents a litre in Ontario
14 cents a litre in Prince Edward Island

Albertans benefit from more than just having the lowest fuel tax; the revenue it generates provides Albertans with improved local infrastructure — five cents per litre is returned to the cities of Edmonton and Calgary, with other municipalities receiving $60 per capita grants for roads and other transportation infrastructure.

The province benefits from high oil prices in other ways. For every $1 increase in the price of crude oil over a year, provincial revenues increase by nearly $100 million. This allows Alberta to invest in health care, education, and infrastructure in ways that other provinces can't afford to do.

However, the price of oil — and gas — can drop as quickly as it can rise. Any cuts to taxes, fuel or otherwise, have to be weighed carefully to see if they can be sustained in the long term, even if the price of oil drops.

Saving fuel, saving money
While public transit is an option for people feeling strained by the cost at the pumps, for many Albertans this is not possible. Here are some other ways to save money on gasoline:

Don't idle. Even 10 minutes of idling a day can cost you $70 a year in wasted fuel.
Go easy on the A/C. Don't use the air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic and you'll save on fuel consumption by as much as 20 per cent.
Remove roof racks and put luggage in the trunk. This could reduce fuel use by up to five per cent by reducing your vehicle's aerodynamic drag.
Be slow off the mark. Avoid flooring the gas pedal from a dead stop. This uses 50 per cent more fuel than pulling away gradually.
Remember to check your tires. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by five per cent.