Have you noticed that as the temperatures drop, so does the price of gas? That’s because gas stations switch to winter fuel, which is cheaper to produce. However, why do stores provide different gas blends at all? 

Why do gas stations use winter fuel? 

Gas stations make the switch from summer to winter fuel because they have to. It’s required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All fuel stations must switch from summer-blend gas to winter-blend gas by the end of October. 

This helps improve emissions in the summer and winter. Winter fuel has a higher volatility and vapor pressure to run more efficiently in colder months. Plus, it’s better oxygenated to improve combustion and reduce carbon monoxide emissions. 

Winter fuel contains more additives, such as butane, to ensure your car starts on colder mornings. Also, it prevents issues such as fuel line freezing to improve engine performance. 

According to AAA, additives such as butane make winter fuel cheaper than summer blends. It has a lower production cost and often less demand. You may notice that fuel prices drop by 10 to 30 cents per gallon in colder months. 

Using winter blends in summer months can increase butane evaporation. This may lead to engine vapor lock. This leads to engine stalling, power loss, and difficulty upon restarting. 

Plus, if drivers used winter blends all year, then it would increase the amount of smog, ozone, and other harmful emissions that are released into the environment. 

It seems odd that people drive less during the winter, as holidays have record amounts of traffic. Also, drivers are less confident and travel at slower speeds, making it seem like that’s more traffic.