Summer-blend fuel is also more expensive to make than winter-blend fuel. Refineries must produce enough fuel for each area to ensure there are no supply shortages, and that can complicate the production and distribution of fuels. However, because of various state or regional requirements, 14 different fuel specifications are required for the summer months. In the winter months, only a few fuels are used across the United States. There are also more fuels to produce during the transition season. In the warm summer months, these evaporative attributes would lead to increased emissions and the formation of smog. In the winter, fuels have a higher Reid vapor pressure, meaning they evaporate more easily and allow cars to start in colder weather. Gasoline blends used in the summer months are different than the blends used in the winter. Refineries lead this transition and switch over to summer-blend production in March and April. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines April to June as the “transition season” for fuel production. March-April: Refineries Switch to Summer-Blend Production
Another reason for scheduling turnarounds is that they allow refineries to retool for summer-blend fuels. Refineries undergo turnarounds roughly once every four year so about 25% of refineries undergo a turnaround each spring. A turnaround is a planned, periodic shut down (total or partial) of a refinery process unit or plant to perform maintenance, overhaul and repair operations and to inspect, test and replace materials and equipment. demand for gasoline is generally at its lowest during the first two months of the year, so refinery maintenance, known as a “turnaround,” is often scheduled during the first quarter. Here’s a timeline of events that can affect gas prices during the first half of the year. Since 2000, gasoline prices have increased about 50 cents from the seasonal low at the beginning of February to the seasonal high in mid-May.
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Seasonal increases in demand plus a transition to unique fuel blends put pressure on gas prices each spring.
Traditionally, gasoline prices are at their lowest during the first week of February and then begin to climb, often peaking right before Memorial Day.
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