Utah gas prices inch up, “summer gas” production likely to blame

SALT LAKE CITY — A report by  AAA Utah shows that the national average for a gallon of gasoline is up by about $.04 since last week.

On Wednesday, the national average was $3.12 for a gallon of gas. The average in Utah was $3.16. That represents an $.08 increase in Utah since last week.

Drivers in St. George are paying an average of $3.25 per gallon while in Salt Lake City the average was $3.15.

Summer gas, the pros and cons

According to AAA Utah, gas prices are going up because more refineries are starting to make a seasonal switch to summer-blend gasoline.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, a trade organization, defines summer-blend gasoline as a “less volatile” gasoline, “meaning it’s less prone to vaporize when temperatures reach their summer highs.”

A gasoline that is less prone to vaporize in the summer heat helps to “mitigate evaporative emissions from cars and trucks, and other precursors to smog.”

Summer gasoline also helps engines perform at a more optimal level when outside temperatures begin to rise.

A downside to summer gasoline is the cost.

“Summer-blend gas is less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures and is more expensive to produce.” said John Treanor with AAA Utah.

Recently, the threat of tariffs was cited as another reason that gas prices were inching up in Utah and across the nation.

However, there’s good news for those driving electric cars in Utah.  At $.29, AAA Utah reports that the state is among the top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour.

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