Americans carry the largest share of the fuel cost increase tied to the Middle East war, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Oilprice.com argues the comparison leaves out electricity and other regions, where it says other countries have fared worse.
Americans are paying the biggest portion of global energy price inflation from the Middle East war. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) put the global fuel total at $468 billion, with the U.S. portion at $160 billion.
Per-person costs and the driving explanation
CREA also estimated additional costs of $471 per American, against a global average of $60. Oilprice.com notes that comparing a global average with a national one is not, strictly speaking, a fair comparison.
CREA blames U.S. driving habits. According to CREA: "America's exceptional oil consumption due to high reliance on inefficient, oil-burning private vehicles" explains the hit.
Europe and Japan face costs of their own
However, CREA measures fuel only. The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has also raised electricity costs, and Oilprice.com says other countries have fared worse because they rely on imported gas and coal, while the U.S. benefits from being the world's largest natural gas producer.
Japan, one of the most import-dependent nations in energy, saw electricity prices hit a record high this month after the government cut subsidies. In Europe, Germans are paying an average 2.30 euros per liter of diesel, which translates into $9.73 per gallon.
Oilprice.com adds that fuel prices in the United States are still significantly higher than a year ago. Even so, it says the claim that Americans pay the most overlooks Europe and Asia, including China.
Source: Oilprice.com
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