Local El Paso companies still dealing with high gas prices

EL PASO- Texas – Local El Paso businesses are still dealing with high gas prices. According to AAA, the average cost of gas in Texas is $3.86 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel.

Drivers in El Paso are paying an average of $4.00. El Paso drivers are spending the most on average in Texas.

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.24.

Locally owned companies are overcoming this challenge.

Chris Rodriguez is the owner of Sun City Law Care. He said he started his business in 2017 as a way to earn extra income, but in 2019 it became a full-time job.

Rodriguez runs the entire business by himself. He said on average he serves up to 15 clients per day.

He said that many of the essentials he uses are gas-powered including his truck (his primary source of transportation) and most of his tools.

Rodriguez said he recently decided to increase prices just slightly.

According to Rodriguez, this month he has paid $650 in gasoline. This time last year, he was paying $450 a month.

He said the increase in gas prices has only given him more motivation.

"How can I make that extra money? I get out here, take more clients, do more work. It is not a negative impact. It is a positive one- that is my outlook," he said.

He says he can offset costs by earning more revenue.

Meanwhile, another industry has also been impacted.

Eric Alvarez, president and owner of Expert HVAC Refrigeration, said the price for fuel is another added expense.

Alvarez said his company has a fleet of 17 vehicles. With the recent spike in gas prices, they are now paying up to $1,400 a week in fuel.

Alvarez said they will only adjust prices when it is necessary. Recently, he had to make that difficult decision.

"About a month ago we implemented a 10% increase in all of our service charges- it's just the cost of doing business," he said.

Alvarez said that a minor fee was necessary, especially because of the multiple factors they have been dealing with including inflation and supply shortages caused by the pandemic.

However, Alvarez said that his customers understand.

Dr. Tom Fullerton, UTEP professor of economics, said gas prices across El Paso started to decline over the course of the past three weeks.

He said prices have dropped one quarter per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.

Dr. Fullerton said gas prices in the region have stabilized overall, while prices for diesel continue to increase.

He said gas prices will continue to decrease. However, he forecasts the average price for a gallon in the region will reach around $3.50 and remain there for some time.