Compared to the U.S.? Excuse my French…but hell to the yes.
I have been asked this question numerous times since I landed in Los Angeles. Let me start with some simple math (this is ironic since it is my least favorite subject).
In Malaysia, gas (or petrol I should say since we are country once ruled by the Brits) is gauged in liters. Currently, the price per liter for RON 97 premium petrol (3.8 liters equals to a gallon) is Malaysia Ringgit (RM) 2.60. That is 0.83 cents! The price depends on average global crude prices. The retail price for premium petrol is decided by a “managed float” mechanism, in which its monthly price fluctuates according to market forces. In Malaysia, the price of gas is standardized nationwide.
The price of RON95 petrol and diesel, which are subsidized by the government, is currently priced at RM1.90 per liter (US $0.60) and the subsidy stands at 70 cents (US $0.22 cents) per liter. The Malaysian prime minister had pledged to maintain the price of RON95 petrol in the near future despite soaring global prices. RM17bil (US $5.4 billion) was provided in subsidies for petroleum products under Budget 2012.
Now let’s see how much my monthly stipend goes towards gas in California. The average price of gas per gallon in California is 3.88 (which is RM12) and it is rising! In Los Angeles, it is 3.85. What is interesting to me is that according to GasBuddy.com, South Carolina has the cheapest state average price of gas, which is 3.19 per gallon and Alburqueque, New Mexico, has the cheapest city average at 3.13. Hawaii has the highest average at 4.10. Of course, we can expect fluctuations. I remember a couple of months ago, the price of gas touched on 5.00 a gallon in downtown Los Angeles!
Having been here for four months already, I am aware as to how the price of gas is like a roller coaster ride. They’re down one month and up the next. According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (MEMA), Americans drive nearly 3 trillion miles per year. That’s about 820 trips from the Sun to Pluto and back.
The United States consumes about 20 million barrels of oil products per day (bbl/d), according to the Department of Energy. Almost half is used for motor gasoline. The rest is used for distillate fuel oil, jet fuel, residual fuel and other oils. Each barrel of oil contains 42 gallons (159 litters), which yields 19 to 20 gallons (75 litters) of gasoline. So, in the United States, about 178 million gallons of gasoline is consumed every day. That’s is a $%^& load of gas!
According to USA Today, the fluctuating phenomenon is called “rockets and feathers,” and industry analysts say it has been at work for a long time. The news website said “gas stations make most of their profit from attached convenience stores, according to Jay Ricker, who operates about 50 gas stations in Indiana. If a sign boasting low prices draws drivers to the station, they’re more likely to spend money in the store.”
But it’s not all cut and dry. USA Today quoted that the Federal Trade Commission is still conducting an investigation into the possibility of price manipulation in 2011 after increases in crude oil and refined petroleum product prices.
I guess I won’t be complaining that much when I return home in a couple of months.
2012friendlyfellows 
johnngirachu
August 6, 2012 at 2:25 pm
I’m guessing a substantial amount of the stipend goes to the gas. Love the illustrations. One imagines that gas here would be cheaper the same way that life is portrayed as easier and more interesting but the view from the inside is rayther disappointing, right?
aidaahmad222
August 7, 2012 at 4:03 pm
I wouldn’t say disappointing and I wouldn’t say life here is easier. LA (california for that matter) is anything but cheap. Chalk it up to a learning experience.