It happens every year, but drivers seem shocked when gas prices suddenly shoot up to make room for a new blend of gas.
An Escondido gas station saw the price at the pump jump from $1.97 a gallon on Feb. 22 to $2.27 five days later. The average gas price increase in San Diego was 10 cents, the biggest increase in months.
"They have to shut down the refinery, retool and start up again," said gas price analyst Charles Langley.
But the activist with PublicWatchdogs.org also says oil companies can take advantage of the switch: "There doesn't have to be a shortage. They have months and months to plan ahead and get ahead of this thing."
The Environmental Protection Agency requires the lower-volatility summer gasoline. It decreases emissions by cutting back on excessive evaporation. It does cost more to make. Langley says it costs between 5 and 10 cents a gallon to refine the cleaner burning fuel. But that doesn't explain the sudden jump in gas prices.
Langley says oil companies should prepare for the switch but that doesn't seem to be happening.
"So it is in their best interest to create shortages and this is a plausable excuse for creating a shortage," said Langley. "Is it a reason? I don't think so. This is an excuse not a reason."
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Gas prices are expect to keep rising this week.
