The growing need of owning a vehicle is rapidly becoming one of the main factors that worsen the state of the environment, affecting not only that but also traffic management in major cities. While it seems that raising the prices gas stations impose on their customers would diminuate the issue, I reckon that this might be just a temporary solution.
First of all, the market tends to constantly balance itself accroding to the laws of supply and demand. The society has come to evolve in a state of continous innovation, and one of the prime sectors in which individuals invest nowadays is electric cars manufacturing. If the cost of owning a car fueld by petrol would rise, buyers would switch to electric cars in the long run. More and more affordable options are developed, as to suit each persons’ income or satisfaction level. Thus, low wage individuals would restrict their usage of cars only for a limited period of time, until they can afford to purchase an electrical vehicle as well.
Secondly, the artificial raise in prices would be controled by government officials through monetary policies, which in turn, would disturb the economic equilibirum of countries. The consequences of hightening gas prices will not only affect individuals, but will also raise costs associated with public transportation and companies’ production processes. This apparently beneficial change may start an inflation trend, since companies now need more resources to fund their delivery expenses and transportation is becoming increasingly more expensive.
So, would high prices in gas stations scare customers into giving up on their cars? Probably yes – but only for a while. A more viable method to lower pollution rates and lighten the traffic could be to impose taxes on crowded roads at high circulation hours. This can incentivise individuals to use public transportation more and also to choose alternative routes, in which pollution is not that concentrated.
To sum up, a forced raise in gas prices will result in a series of unfortunate episodes of economic inequilibrium and alert development of the electric cars sector. Alternatively, this issue may be adressed by imposing taxes on highly demanded roades, encouraging the community to reorganise their choices when it comes to going from one place to another.