Fuel shortages across the East Coast have left drivers worried about their next fill-up amid a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline last week by Russian ransomware group Darkside.
Still, several state governors and the White House warned that hoarding gas could escalate the crisis and create a shortage in other states less affected by Colonial Pipeline.
“Much as there was no cause for, say, hoarding toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic, there should be no cause for hoarding gasoline, especially in light of the fact that the pipeline should be substantially operational by the end of this week and over the weekend,” Secretary Jennifer Granholm said during a White House news briefing on Tuesday.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) also has tips for economizing on gas during the shortage.
The association says that personal driving habits are the biggest factor in fuel economy.
Driving the speed limit can get your car farther, AAA advises on its website because “on the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph.” Cruise control can help with on the freeway or highway when there’s little traffic.
