ガソリンやディーゼル燃料といえば、誰もが「ガソリンスタンドでの価格」について語りたがるものです。何しろ、自家用車の給油から事業運営に必要な車両の燃料費に至るまで、この価格は業界を問わず、製品やサービスのコストに大きな影響を与えるからです。しかし、ガソリンやディーゼル燃料の価格は一体何によって決まるのでしょうか？『経済学入門』では、市場の需要と供給の相互作用が商品価格を決定すると学びました。では、実際にガソリンスタンドでの価格に影響を与えているのは何なのでしょうか？

ガス料金の主な変動要因

Four main factors determine the price of fuel: crude oil prices, the cost of refining, distribution & marketing, and taxes. The supply of crude oil is by far the most significant variable, comprising over 40% of the costs for diesel and over 50% of gasoline{1}. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, better known as OPEC, has tremendous influence over the global supply of oil. This is because OPEC controls about 80% of the world's oil reserves{2]. However, as recent events show, other non-OPEC producers like Russia can affect the supply.

Refining

Refining is the process that converts crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other oil derivatives. This determines roughly 20% - 25% of the price of gasoline. Refining costs will vary depending on the product, e.g., low-sulfur highway diesel, ethanol-blended summer formulations, additives, etc. Distribution and marketing (10% - 20%) involve transporting the finished products from the refineries to the regional and local distribution points throughout the country via pipelines, railcars, and trucks. Taxes make up the remaining 12% to 14%.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the price at the pump, or how much you pay to fill up your car or truck, is determined primarily by the global supply and demand for crude oil. However, how far away you are from a refinery and the state you live in (Pennsylvania has the highest gas tax at $0.57/gallon, Alaska has the lowest at $0.08/gallon){3} will also have a significant impact.

SOURCES

1 -https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/
2 -https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htm
3 -https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/06/22/バイデン政権がガソリン税の一時免除を推進する中、ガソリン税が最も高い州と最も低い州はどこか？/?sh=7dec0d5b2e06