Owning a car involves numerous unforeseen costs, with fuel expenses being a significant factor. According to a recent analysis by Britain’s Xcite Car Leasing using data from GlobalPetrolPrices.com, drivers in the United States pay the lowest fuel costs compared to other nations surveyed.
The United States, along with Turkey and Bulgaria, ranks among the countries with the cheapest fuel prices globally. In May 2023, gas, diesel, and electricity prices were evaluated, alongside the availability of public EV chargers. The top 10 countries with the most affordable gas prices include the United States, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium, and Germany.
In the study, the US gasoline price was slightly lower than Turkey’s, at 97 cents per liter (USD 3.67 per gallon). Diesel in the US averaged USD 1.05 per liter (USD 3.97 per gallon), with Turkey slightly higher at USD 1.26 per liter. Despite favorable fuel prices, the U.S. lags behind in public EV charging infrastructure, with just 0.05 chargers per square mile compared to the Netherlands’ 9.02.
Italy emerged as the most expensive country for fuel due to high electricity costs and limited EV infrastructure, although Denmark holds the title for overall costliest fuel. Looking ahead, the study predicts substantial increases in diesel prices across Europe, with Sweden and Turkey potentially facing an 80% hike over the next 30 years.
By 2050, Switzerland is anticipated to have the highest gas prices, while Turkey and the U.S. are expected to remain among the lowest. Despite projections of rising costs, Americans are forecasted to pay an average of £0.89 per liter (USD 3.37 per gallon) by 2030, significantly less than countries like Denmark and Sweden, where prices could exceed £2 per liter (USD 9.60 per gallon).