Exploring the pros and cons of gasoline

While gas prices continue to rise in the 21 st century, motorists are nostalgic for the days when the substance that powered their cars cost less than $ 1 or even closer to $ 2. The application of this resource has been influential compensates the supply long before the war broke out in the Middle East. The normal fuel consumption constant, lead, unleaded, diesel and now has put a strain on the reserves, which caused prices to reach new heights.

The high cost of gasoline has a great impact United States, as well as the rest of the world. The current energy crisis has forced scientists to look for innovative ways of providing energy and has encouraged consumers to find other methods of conserving fuel, such as cycling to work or purchase of electric cars.

In the future, the use of alternative gas may get more attention, especially since these methods are less harmful to the environment: biodiesel, biobutanol, hydrogen, ethanol, and ethanol.

Taking a quick look at gas prices

In September 2003, the price of crude oil standard was less than $ 25 per barrel and with the help of adjustments for inflation - has remained under the sign from the mid-1980s. However, a chain of events over the past two years has caused the price will increase to more than $ 60 in August 2005 and exceed $ 75 mark by the summer of 2006. In October 2007, a barrel of crude was $ 92. The beginning of 2008 only increased the steady increase in prices setting record highs several, including an inflation-adjusted all-time peak of $ 103.05 a barrel in February 2008.

Different types of petrol

A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons and crude oil undergo a process of distillation to generate gasoline. Gas was invented during the years after the end of 1850 crude oil was discovered and researchers were able to subtle ways on how to use this material. The first types of gasoline have been created as a byproduct of the process that made kerosene for oil lamps. Since the internal combustion engine had yet to become a reality - most of the early gasoline was thrown away because no one had a use for the substance.

Today, the U.S. offers a wide range of types of gasoline. Gasoline engine consists of a complex mixture of volatile hydrocarbons and other additives that help power spark ignition engines. Reformulated gas used mainly methyl tert-butyl ether as an oxygenated with three different types. For example, the unique oxygenated reformulated gasoline is typically only during the winter in New York throughout the region where heavy carbon monoxide pollution.

Gasohol is often a combination of 10% ethanol and the mixture of gasoline 90%. Ethanol is a liquid that actually comes from the fermentation of some sugars located in agricultural crops or wood. However, the type most widely available is conventional petrol, which is designed to evaporate more slowly at high temperatures, which creates less smog.

In general, each type of gas (both conventional, oxygenated, or reformulated) is available in three different types: regular, midgrade, and premium. As a general rule, premium gas has an octane rating higher than 90, which contributes to its higher price per gallon.

The Lowdown on Gas Stations

With the exorbitant prices, petrol stations not only struggle to make a profit, but also to find ways on how to entice consumers to buy their gas. Depending on the location of a gas station and the performance of the company - a range of prices seen states like New Jersey and Missouri have the lowest costs with California exceed the limits in March 2008.

A couple of gas companies and popular stations in the United States and Canada include:

Gallon

Founded in 1879 in Pico Canyon, California - Chevron would grow up to become the fifth largest global energy company - an important role in the oil and gas. Making great strides in exploration and production, is also responsible for Chevron Texaco found in Europe, USA and Latin America.

ExxonMobil

With a merger in 1999 which saw the combined power of three major companies - ExxonMobil is considered the largest companies in the world by revenue. The company also supports Exxon in the United States; They / Imperial Oil in Canada, and Mobil in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Hoarse

Founded in 1938 as Husky Refining, the company focuses on oil and gas. The use of about 4,000 people - Husky is known as one of the largest energy companies in Canada - which provides Husky and Mohawk-brand gas.

Petro Canada

Founded in 1975 in Ottawa, Ontario, Petro Canada is known as the second largest company in various operations associated gas. Petro stations also offers a loyalty program called Petro Points, where consumers receive credits for fuel, car repair shops and purchase.

Conoco Phillips

A merger in 2002 saw Phillips and Conoco join forces to become one of the six "supermajors" oil companies in the world. The company is the manager of Conoco in the south-eastern and central United States, Phillips 66, and other international initiatives .......