Gas prices in Metro Vancouver could soon top $2 per litre for the first time since early October, according to an analyst.
Dan McTeague of GasWizard.ca said the surge should come "as early as Wednesday or Thursday of next week, if not sooner."
"We're going to breach the $2 per litre range," said McTeague. "And we're going to stay there."
The analyst, who is also president of Canadians for Affordable Energy, a fossil fuel advocacy group, said pre-summer demand typically begins increasing by mid-April and remains high into September, which historically accounts for an increase of about 15 cents.
The switch from winter to summer gasoline will also impact prices, McTeague added.
"That's about seven cents a litre,” he said. “Then you have the 3.5 cents per litre increase in the carbon taxes.”
B.C.'s carbon tax is scheduled to increase to $80 a tonne on April 1, up from $65 a tonne, as mandated by the federal government.
"It's absolutely out of control and it's also wildly unpopular," said Carson Binda, a spokesperson for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Binda says it costs British Columbians around $50 in taxes alone to fill up.
"So it's going to be about 81 cents in total taxes per litre of gasoline," said Binda.
By the May long weekend, McTeague predicts gas prices will likely be in the "mid-$2.20" range.
BCAA Automotive Specialist Josh Smythe says a well-maintained car and proper driving habits can help preserve fuel.
"Driving plays a big component on how we save fuel," said Smythe, adding that proper tire pressure and oil levels are vital in preserving gas.
He says going easy on the brakes and accelerator can also help, and recommends drivers stick to the 'golden mileage' when traveling via highway.
"Somewhere between 80 to 90 kilometres an hour," said Smythe. "You'll find you'll have the best to burn for your fuel and the best shifting and operations for your engine."
In February, Opposition party BC United called on the NDP government to reduce or eliminate provincial fuel taxes to ease pain at the pumps, as Alberta has done on a temporary basis.
Premier David Eby declined, pointing to a number of other relief measures, unrelated to fuel prices, that the province is implementing to improve affordability, including its one-time electricity credit.
"All (Alberta) did was increase profits for the oil and gas companies – we're just not going to take that approach here," Eby said last month.
McTeague also cited a weak Canadian dollar and conflict in the Middle East as contributing factors for the price increase.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kevin Charach and Rob Buffam
