Rising fuel prices are trimming a lawn care company’s bottom line. Tim Muys, president at Green Blade Lawn Care, said the company spends “a healthy six figures” on fuel every year. After fertilizer and wages, Muys said it’s their biggest expense. As of Wednesday, the Canadian average price per litre for gasoline is 174.8 cents and diesel 218.3 cents per litre. Manitoba’s averages remain close to the national per litre average at 174.7 cents for gas and 209.6 cents for diesel. “When your three biggest expenses are increasing substantially because of what’s going on in the events in the world, that results in a big hike for your customers and they don’t want to see it,” Muys said. “Nobody wants to see it, but we have no choice, we’re going to have too.” Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said there could be some relief in sight - if a new deal between the United States and Iran is reached this week. “We could see gasoline fall 10 to 20 cents a litre, and diesel prices could fall very similar or slightly more than that 10 to 20 cents a litre but there’s still a lot of uncertainty,” said Haan. De Haan said attacks by Ukraine on Russian diesel refineries have also driven up fuel costs. A recent survey from CAA Manitoba found summer prices are forcing drivers to reconsider their habits and road trip plans. The survey found six out of 10 Manitobans are changing how they drive. “Thirty-five per cent say they are driving less, for everyday needs as a result of these prices,” said Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “Twenty-three per cent are cutting spending on other things and another twenty-three per cent are reducing or eliminating activities.” Muys said his Green Blade team is slowly switching their fleet over from diesel to gasoline. However, according to GasBuddy, the price of diesel in Winnipeg has spiked by more than 40 cents per litre, compared to the month before.
