The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.80, down one cent from last Monday. One year ago, the price was $3.07. The New York State average has dipped just below the $3 per gallon threshold at $2.998, down from $3.03 last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.14. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia - $3.05 (down 2 cents from last Monday)
• Buffalo - $3.10 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Elmira - $2.80 (down 6 cents from last Monday)
• Ithaca - $3.16 (down 3 cents from last Monday)
• Rochester - $3.10 (down 1 cent from last Monday)
• Rome - $3.08 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Syracuse - $2.98 (down 4 cents from last Monday)
• Watertown - $3.02 (down 3 cents from last Monday)

The new year is bringing lowest gas prices the nation has seen since 2021. While the national average is well below the $3 threshold, the New York average has reached that mark dipping just below $3 per gallon with prices in the state capital, Albany, at $2.98. In Central New York, Syracuse is also at $2,98 while Elmira’s average is $2.80. Prices in other areas should continue to drop if oil prices remain low. This morning, oil prices range from $58 to $63 per barrel.

Along with pump prices, demand is also down, which is typical for January. According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand decreased from 8.56 million barrels per day to 8.17 million. Total domestic gasoline supply is up while gasoline production is down slightly.

Diesel prices are also on the decline. The national average is $3.50 – down two cents from last Monday. The New York average is $3.86, down one cent from a week ago.

When it comes to EV charging, the national and state averages for L2 commercial electricity remain steady. Today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station is 39 cents. New York’s rate is 38 cents. The state is home to 17,438 chargers. An estimated 1.2 million AAA members live in households with one or more electric vehicles.

To conserve fuel, motorists should map routes, avoid peak traffic times like rush hour, and combine errands into one trip while using cruise control when possible. Drivers should also make sure tire pressure is at the vehicle’s recommended level for the best gas mileage while removing any unnecessary and bulky items from the car since it takes more fuel to accelerate a heavy vehicle. Get more tips here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/news/fuel-saving-tips/. Motorists can benefit from comparing pump prices before filling up with the AAA Mobile App for iPhone, iPad, and Android.