It may or may not surprise you, but the top 10 most expensive cities in buy gas in North America are all in B.C.
According to statistics released and compiled by gasbuddy.com, all 10 communities are in the Lower Mainland.
The data, compiled on August 8, paints a rather depressing picture of how much it costs to drive a vehicle in B.C.
Coming in at number one was Delta, with prices at 143.6 a litre.
Co-founder of gasbuddy.com, Jason Toews, said these results do not surprise him at all. “I would have been surprised if B.C. wasn’t at the top of the list,” he said.
The results are compiled from data submitted by users of the website, sharing the price of gas in their communities. While some areas in the province may have higher gas prices, gasbuddy only tracks communities with more than five gas stations so as to look at the bigger picture around the country.
Toews said the high gas taxes in Vancouver are what gives B.C. its high ranking. “They are high to begin with in Canada,” he said, “much higher than in the U.S.”
According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, taxes make up 29 per cent of the pump price for gasoline, and 23.5 per cent for diesel. Alberta has the lowest gas tax, along with the lowest pump price, and B.C. and Quebec have the highest pump prices.
Toews said when looking at the numbers of their website, it is often a battle between B.C. and Quebec. However, with an additional local tax in Greater Vancouver and Victoria, drivers in those areas are hit the hardest.
“Gas prices are always higher in the summer months,” he added. “All prices will shift lower, but B.C. will still be very high.”
Top 10 most expensive cities to buy gas in North America (based on August 8 numbers):
1. Delta – 143.6
2. Surrey – 143.5
3. Pitt Meadows – 143.3
4. North Vancouver – 143.1
5. Maple Ridge – 142.18
6. Burnaby – 142.12
7. Vancouver – 142.06
8. New Westminster – 142
9. Richmond – 141.6
10. Coquitlam – 141.1
The cheapest place to buy gas in North America is Danville, VA, with a price of 83.7 a litre.
The cheapest place to buy gas in B.C. is Kamloops with a price of 123.2 a litre.
The cheapest town to buy gas in Canada is Spruce Grove, Alberta with a price of 109.6 a litre.
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