Refineries tend to do regular upkeep work in the fall and spring, which can lead to interruptions in the supply of gas. And when supply is limited, prices go up.
“Spring often has the highest prices because demand is increasing, refineries are conducting maintenance, and they’re getting ready for the switch over to summer blend gasoline,” says Green.
Refinery problems are less of a threat in the summer and winter – i.e., outside of the maintenance seasons – and those periods tend to have stronger production. But with demand for gasoline high in the summer, Green says, winter is the only time when steady supply and low demand result in cheap gas.
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