Launching petrol prices in the US leads citizens to unusual solutions, such as improvised vehicles or limited movements, while public transportation gains ground and businesses adapt their services to new economic data.
30-year-old master Mali Hightower from Helenwood, Georgia decided to face high prices gasoline in an original way: he used a high-pressure laundry engine and installed it in a broken pink Barbie children's electric motor vehicle, in which he moves to the supermarket, wearing a helmet and with his knees up.
WATCH: Mali Highpower says he turned a pink Power Wheels Barbie Dream Camper into an errand-running vehicle by equipping it with a two-gallon, one-piston engine. He says it’s his way of saving money, now that gasoline costs an overage of $4.50 per gallon https://t.co/YbJ03xhUut pic.twitter. Com/qAZMF2mjk5
— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) May 19, 2026
«My car, a 1996 Mercedes-Benz, needs about $90 (85 euros) to fill. It's too much.», states Hightower, who added grill for his shopping. «I drive this when I can.».
Economic strategies and new habits
The rise in prices affects the daily habits of millions of Americans. According to AAA, on 18 May the average price for normal petrol was $4.52/gallon (~1,20 €/litre), from about $3 (~0,79 €/litre) before the start of the war in Iran. In an Ipsos survey on behalf of Washington Post and ABC News, 44% of Americans said they are now restricting their movements.
Content creator Daphne Flores from Silverdale, Washington now restricts her routes near her home and uses public transportation during her stays in Los Angeles. Filling Toyota Highlander now costs her at least $95 (~90 €) for approximately 70 litres of fuel, so it limits movements to five miles (~8 km) and avoids stations near highways.
In Maine, the use of public buses in Bangor increased by 21% since January, with a larger increase in peak hours, according to transport manager Laurie Linscott.
The crisis has not yet caused increased purchases of electric cars, but EV drivers, especially Tesla owners, now see the advantages of their choice. John Stringer, president of Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley, posted on TikTok petrol-priced video and commented humorously: «Oh, what luck I don't have to face it!».
