Motorists in Quebec are suffering from the sharp increase in the cost of gasoline due to the repercussions of the conflict in Ukraine. A liter of fuel came close to $2 in the metropolitan area this weekend. Enough to change the consumption habits of Quebecers? Probably not, according to experts.
Posted at 9:19 p.m.
The cost of gas at the pump hit $1.99 a liter at some Montreal gas stations over the weekend, according to the Essence Quebec website, where members can log the prices they see . Sunday evening, according to the observations of The Pressthe prices displayed in the metropolis were more around $1.95 per litre.
This is an increase of almost ten cents per liter compared to the average recorded Friday in Montreal, according to data from the Régie de l’énergie du Québec. And 30 cents, if we refer to the average prices at the start of the week, when the price of gas varied between $1.62 and $1.69 per liter in Montreal.
This increase is not likely to stabilize for several months, analyzes Mehran Ebrahimi, professor of management at the University of Quebec in Montreal. “The oil market is very sensitive to all kinds of economic variations and conditions,” he explains. Already, even before the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we saw global demand rising. »
“It’s the world price that dictates the price we pay here,” adds George Iny, director of the Association for the Protection of Motorists (APA). Exporting countries [de pétrole] are all countries that may experience some instability or supply issues. »
Several industries affected
The rise in the cost of oil does not only affect motorists. Aviation, transport, manufacturing: a large number of companies will find themselves with an increase in their cost of production, warns Professor Ebrahimi.
The price of plane tickets could also rise, even if they were purchased in advance (if certain clauses of the purchase contract allow it), describes the specialist.
Several industries are already suffering from the consequences of the pandemic and labor shortages. In this context, the increase in the price of energy “is not a very favorable equation”, observes Mr. Ebrahimi.
Quebecers and SUVs
Rising gas prices are also hurting the wallets of Quebecers, who are increasingly opting for gas-guzzling vehicles. “COVID-19 has brought, more than a craze, I would say a madness to buy more luxurious and bigger vehicles, remarks George Iny. People trade in a vehicle to buy an SUV [véhicule utilitaire sport] ! »
However, rising costs generally have little impact on consumer habits, according to Mr. Ibrahimi and Mr. Iny. “If behaviors continue, by 2026, all Quebecers will have SUVs,” says Mehran Ebrahimi.
Even if Quebecers wanted to change their SUV for a smaller car, the current supply problems would slow them down, also details George Iny.
Beyond changing vehicles, other solutions are available to motorists to reduce their bill, according to Mr. Iny. First, “fall back in love with public transit”, which has been abused since the pandemic. Then carpool. “If there are two of you in a vehicle,” he recalls, “you have just remarkably increased its efficiency. »