Within the past year alone, fuel prices have surged by over 223%, from around N238 per litre in June 2023 to over N770 per litre in July 2024.
With these historic highs, car users are exploring various ways to conserve fuel. One notable adjustment has been the increasing number of drivers opting not to use air conditioning (AC) in their vehicles.
Reports indicate that many believe AC usage significantly increases fuel consumption, especially in light of the removal of fuel subsidies and ongoing scarcity in the fuel market.
How many litres of fuel can Nigerian minimum wage buy?
Nigeria’s minimum income can buy the fewest litres of fuel compared to other countries with low fuel prices in USD.
While countries like Iran and Libya offer thousands of litres for their minimum wage, Nigeria’s minimum wage only covers 91.2 litres.
Despite relatively low fuel prices in USD, which is due to the weakness of the Naira, the purchasing power of Nigerians is significantly weaker, meaning they can afford much less fuel compared to these other nations.
In the early 2000s, fuel prices were relatively stable, allowing many car owners to use air conditioning without significant concern. However, the post-subsidy era has altered this reality.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the usage of air conditioning can reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy – leading to increased petrol consumption – by up to 25% in some cases, especially during hot weather when the AC is working at full capacity.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) adds that in hotter climates, AC usage can account for up to 20% of fuel consumption and in colder temperatures, it can be up to 3%. In severe conditions, such as high temperatures combined with heavy traffic, it can even reach 40%, albeit over shorter periods.
This data emphasises that while reducing AC use can indeed save fuel, the impact varies based on factors such as speed, vehicle type, and external temperature.
Studies consistently show that in stop-and-go city traffic, AC usage can increase fuel consumption by up to 20%.