Americans Pay Most for Iran War Fuel Price Spike, Analysis Finds
Despite Being the World’s Biggest Oil and Gas Producer, America Hit with World’s Biggest Fuel Bill
NEW YORK— The war with Iran has caused Americans to pay more for fuel than people in any other country, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Since the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February, higher diesel and gasoline prices have cost Americans an extra $471 per person, nearly eight times more than the $60 global average.
Canada and Australia, which also have high fuel consumption per person and car-heavy transport systems, had the next-highest per-person costs at $422 and $386, respectively.
Worldwide, the war has added $468 billion to fuel bills. The U.S. share is $160 billion, about a third of the total. China is second at $54 billion, and Canada is third at $17 billion.
The analysis found that U.S. fuel price increases were similar to those in other market economies, but the U.S. stands out because Americans use more fuel per person, and the country has made little relative progress reducing its reliance on oil.
“America produces more oil and gas than any other country, but that hasn't protected Americans from the fallout of this war,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, Co-Founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). “U.S. consumers have been hit harder than anyone else because they use so much oil, leaving them exposed to price shocks they can’t control. The lesson is clear: the best protection against volatile oil prices isn't pumping more oil, it's needing less of it.”
President Trump's decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel earlier this month underscored the limits of trying to bring down prices by increasing fuel supplies. Despite the move, average U.S. diesel prices have risen, reaching $6.28 per gallon on October 19.
“This war has taken money out of American pockets,” said Leila Aly El Deen, CEO of Secure Energy Project. “For families who rely on cars to get to their jobs, their schools, and their grocery stores, this is an extra cost they weren’t planning on, and they often can’t afford. With EVs there's a way out, but they cost a lot up-front. Trump could make the switch to EVs more affordable, so families aren't left at the mercy of the next global oil price shock, but he is only looking out for himself and his class. Trump said he doesn’t ‘think about Americans' financial situation,’ and this analysis proves it.”
The typical U.S. driver of a gasoline car has paid $440 more for fuel since March, assuming average mileage and fuel use. The typical electric vehicle driver has paid $17 more for charging.
Electric vehicles made up 7.3% of new U.S. vehicle sales in the first eight months of 2026, down 3 percentage points from last year. The share was 57% in China, 32% in the European Union, and 98% in Norway.
Countries that have cut fuel use since 2023 have lowered their costs. Lower consumption has saved China about $10.8 billion and Germany $3.7 billion. U.S. savings totaled $5.7 billion.
The analysis compared retail diesel and gasoline prices in January and February with prices from March 1 to Oct. 14 in 169 countries. It used price data from GlobalPetrolPrices.com and fuel consumption data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Eurostat, the International Energy Agency and Chinese government bodies.
About CREA
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) is an independent research organisation that uses scientific data and evidence to support the efforts of governments and companies worldwide in their efforts to move towards clean energy and clean air.
