‘We consider every mile we drive’: how fuel shortages are affecting readers worldwide | US-Israel war on Iran

A.Lagesan, 35, needs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to run his roadside beverage and snack shop in Coimbatore, India, but worries his business could be disrupted by fuel shortages since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

“I’m far from the Middle East, but my life is affected,” he said. “Due to the war, gas cylinders cannot be obtained. I don’t know what to do.”

The price of a barrel of oil on international markets has risen to around $100 (£52, A$143) as the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, is virtually impassable.

The cost of gasoline/gasoline and other goods is also rising, putting pressure on consumers and economies around the world.

on friday International Energy Agency (IEA) has published a list of recommendations, including working from home where possible, reducing motorway speed limits, switching from private car use to public transport, car sharing, switching to electric cooking where possible and avoiding air travel.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the war in the Middle East had created “a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.”

“Unless a quick solution is found, the effects on energy markets and economies will become increasingly severe,” he said.

Alagesan is one of many people who have responded to an online call about the use of heating oil and fuel since the beginning of the conflict.

People shared how they were coping with price increases and fuel shortages. Some have stopped driving, using the car only for essential journeys, cycling whenever possible, and using public transport.

Others living in colder climates have stopped or greatly limited their use of heating oil because “prices have skyrocketed” and are content to simply heat a room, burn wood, and layer clothes.

Some have canceled holidays because they believe it is not feasible to go on long journeys due to increased fuel demand.

While many shared anger over the conflict, others spoke of relief at having an electric vehicle and solar panels, and feeling some “control” over their fuel source. But many said they had no choice but to use their cars to get to work or get around because there was little or no public transportation. They had to find other ways to make cuts to get fuel.

ganges, 57, Kerala also talked about the oil crisis and “rationing” in India. India imports about 60% of LPG, 90% of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Only a fraction of the daily demand has passed through since the strait was closed. A local woman said there was a “35-day waiting period for the next gas cylinder installation.”

Meanwhile, Gangesh said “most hotels are suffering the worst as a large number of restaurants have closed, leading to unemployment.”

Driving was a recurring theme among those who contacted us. Sue, 73, a semi-retired teacher from Macclesfield in the UK, has “banned” the use of the car except for her husband’s hospital trips. Otherwise, they get around on bicycles and tricycles.

Katie, 71, who is self-employed and lives in Massachusetts and cares for her medically disabled adult son, is “already dealing with rising healthcare costs and choosing between food and gas.” She said her son’s medical care was “highly specialized and often meant a round trip of 100 miles or more per appointment.”

He said: “We now carefully consider almost every kilometer we have to cover and try to cut costs wherever possible.”

Others were “bunching errands” for any road trip. Peggy in New South Wales, Australia, was reducing her speed to save energy, and a 71-year-old woman from Pitt Town, NSW, said she would offer a lift in her electric vehicle to elderly friends who might be worried about fuel costs.

Meanwhile, an estimated 1.7 million households in the UK rely on heating oil, and in Northern Ireland it is the main source of heating for almost two-thirds of households. For some people using paraffin heating oil, the price increases have become too high for them to afford.

David, who lives in Londonderry, said: “Many people in Northern Ireland are worried about additional and sudden increases in fuel costs.

“Londonderry and other parts of the north are still quite cold. It’s very important for people like me with respiratory problems that the temperature stays constant.”

This was echoed by Anne*, a 50-year-old manager from Perthshire, Scotland.

At the end of February, he said, the price of the 1,000 liters of paraffin he had budgeted for was £600. But he said the price was now “£1,450”, making it “unattainable”. There was no heating even though it was “freezing in Perthshire”. He said they were able to cut wood from fallen trees behind their hut to use as fuel. “It’s a tough job,” he said. “Hot water bottles are good too. Very old school.” They decided to use the money they had saved for paraffin to buy a log splitter instead.

Amanda*, 48, who is self-employed and lives in Devon, UK, with her two teenage sons, has also drastically reduced her use of heating oil.

“We only have three weeks of heating oil left,” he said. “I had to close because I didn’t have the extra money to pay the current prices.

“Luckily we have an electric shower, but it’s not cheap,” he said. “It’s hard because obviously you want to protect them [her sons] It’s hot and you feel guilty for not being able to meet their needs.

Meanwhile, Alex, a 46-year-old community services worker in Kogarah, New South Wales, has also cut back on driving and is using public transport more.

“Partly due to the impact of oil prices, which have increased since the start of the war,” he said. “But at the same time, people are panic buying, so I try not to drive too much to avoid having trouble refueling. I try not to use the air conditioning while driving because air conditioning consumes more fuel.”

“I’m worried about how [the war] it will increase fuel prices but mostly I am saddened and appalled by the violence and loss of life. War is not about security or protecting borders. War is what public greed looks like.”

*Names have been changed