Gas prices hit record 160.9 cents per litre in Vancouver
Experts predict prices in the range of $1.65 per litre are likely to come by summer.
Gas prices continue to break records in the Lower Mainland, as prices hit 160.9 cents for a litre in Vancouver.
The pump price jumped a full cent overnight Saturday, with many drivers waking up to the new numbers Sunday morning.
Dan McTeague with GasBuddy.com said Vancouver now has the highest gas prices of any major city in North America, with Victoria in second place. He said the prices break records, looking back as far as 1998.
"These are the highest prices that we have ever seen here in Vancouver," he said. "We're into uncharted territory here and extremely expensive for pretty much everyone."
173.3 cents per litre on Haida Gwaii
Gas prices in Masset B.C. increased by five cents per litre overnight Saturday to 173.3 cents per litre.
McTeague says the jump in prices are due to the weak Canadian dollar and two gas refineries being under maintenance. He's predicting prices to rise to 161.9 cents per litre in Vancouver by Wednesday.
Gas prices often also rise in the summer as people drive more to take trips — and McTeague says prices then could go as high as $1.65 per litre.
On Sunday, drivers around Vancouver vented on social media about the prices.
I want to go out for a drive and explore bc, but these gas prices be telling me to stay home 😒
—@ColiinLeeThese aren’t “ride around listening to music” gas prices
—@AustinKing58So this morning gas prices have reached $1.60/litre in Vancouver... <a href="https://twitter.com/bcndp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bcndp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jjhorgan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jjhorgan</a> I’d love to know how letting it get this high is helping protect the middle class. Thoughts?
—@Linda_vdVeldengas prices are up again in Victoria, bc. We not only have the highest cost of living, but the highest gas prices in the country. This wouldn’t such a big deal in some of places that have transportation infrastructure. But we do not!What’s the plan? <a href="https://twitter.com/johnhorgan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JohnHorgan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GasBuddyDan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GasBuddyDan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BC</a>
—@BreonyAyersWith files from Gian-Paolo Mendoza.
Corrections
- A previous version of this story said Vancouver had the highest gas prices in North America.Apr 29, 2018 5:05 PM PT
With files from Gian Paolo Mendoza