Premium gas prices have been on the rise, with the average price exceeding $5.40 per gallon this spring. Despite the higher cost, demand for premium gas is up, with many drivers believing it offers better performance for their vehicles.

Why the Increase in Demand?

The increase in demand for premium gas can be attributed to the growing number of new vehicles that recommend or require premium-grade octane levels of at least 91. However, many drivers also falsely believe that high-octane gas offers a kind of treat for their engines.

Historically, high-octane gas has cost about 20 cents a gallon more than regular gas. However, this difference started to widen around 2005 and has since grown to nearly $1 per gallon. Higher refining costs, particularly the addition of cleaner-burning ethanol to preserve premium’s higher octane level, are partially to blame for the price increase.

Marketing and Perception

The perception that premium gas is better for vehicles has been created through a century of marketing. Premium gas was first introduced in 1923, and since then, gas stations have competed on octane levels, with many offering higher levels than the standard 91 octane.

However, experts say that the benefits of premium gas are often exaggerated. For most vehicles, regular gas is sufficient, and the higher cost of premium gas does not provide any significant benefits. In fact, a 2016 study by AAA found that premium gas offered zero benefits to cars built for regular 87-octane gas.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.