Gas prices have increased roughly 30% this past year because of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. 

With DFW being the main central business district of North Texas, the suburban areas around the metroplex are reliant on vehicles, and with a lack of public transportation, pedestrians are limited to underdeveloped or dangerous means of travel. To save money, people have begun trying to avoid gas-powered vehicles. 

Electric vehicles have gained popularity in the last five years, and the recent gas price hike has left the EV community unaffected. 

“I use electric so [the gas prices] don’t affect me,” Oklahoma Gas & Energy Systems Architect Saravanan Chadrasekaran said. “It increased the prices of everything people consume, from the cafeteria to everything else. More percentage of people use gasoline so it’s affecting everyone.”

Chandrasekaran and his wife, Kalaivani Thillaigovindan, bought their EV over a year ago. Prior to their EV, they had used a gas-powered SUV for twelve years. 

“I didn’t need to use my gas-powered vehicle anymore and that’s the truth,” Thillaigovindan said. “It would be very frustrating if I didn’t have the electric vehicle. The [Toyota] Highlander already takes a lot of fuel.” 

With gas prices increasing $2.925 from Jan. 5 to $4.581 from May 4 , ride sharing and carpooling have become increasingly popular as a cost effective alternative. 

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 “I enjoy driving.” Sophomore Hudson Thomas said.  “It has been harder to justify getting out more because prices are so high, for this reason. When possible, I try to ride with other people, or drive other people so we can all save money.” 

Thomas describes this feeling as disappointing. 

“It’s like putting together a puzzle but missing the last piece,” Thomas said. “To me, not being able to go out and drive has made me feel frustrated. It’s also made me angry as I enjoy driving as a hobby, so not being able to really take away a bit of my joy.”

Senior Koda Taglienti admitted that the rising costs forces them to make  unsafe decisions to avoid longer routes.

“I’m a lot less willing to take longer trips and everytime someone wants me to run an errand, I get paranoid about gas usage,” said Taglienti.

To avoid spending money, Taglienti has been finding other ways to keep their social life intact. 

“It’s resulted in a lot more situations of me inviting people over to mine so I don’t have to drive,” Taglienti said.