Probably because the smaller European cars (in most instances) are designed to give 40 to 60 mpg!
However, the price of gas in UK/Europe is totally irrelevant to whats going on in Canada with the Big Four.......
We are part of the N American economy, and if you buy your gas in Buffalo USA, the price difference between Regular gas and Premium is 10 to 12 cents per U.S. gallon (approx 4 litres)
The difference in Canada is 300% to 500% greater! WHY??
Canadian taxes don't explain it!
Also, in USA the price is fairly stable, whereas in Canada we have a line-up fiasco at the pumps for cheaper gas every Mon night for a few hours, then the price jumps 10 cents a litre around 8.30 p.m. WHY??
Canadian taxes don't explain it!
Finally, we have a useless government enquiry after enquiry which confirms no collusion between the Big Four, yet their prices go up and down in unison with the precision of 4 trained seals!!
WHY??
Why, in a FREE market economy, did the Big FOUR set out on a deliberate policy to kill the independent competition??
Why did our governments allow it to happen??
Why did Paul Martin, as Finance Minister, introduce a temporary
gas surtax in the 1990s to fight the deficit at that time, and now, as Prime Minister, he sees no reason to remove it??
( a good question when one of his yesmen comes knocking on your door looking for your vote!)
In Canada, the industry would rather bribe us with our own money by selling gas at high prices then offer us their useless 'points' programs....and most of us have NO CHOICE but to buy it!!
For now, I will continue to buy only for my minimum needs when prices are high.....and fill my tank when prices are low! Also, I will check TorontoGasPrices.com to determine where I buy. Hopefully a new government will bring in the reforms that this industry so badly needs! Probably not, but public pressure may help!