THE cost of using a car has increased sharply since the latest oil price rise Feb. 20.
Local residents have complained of the rising costs of using their vehicles, which include oil, parking, cleaning, insurance, repairs and maintenance, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.
It s much easier to buy a car than to fuel it has become a thought shared by many vehicle owners.
A man named Wang in Nanshan District said the oil price increase in February had forced him to give up No. 97 gasoline and turn to cheaper No. 93 gasoline for his 2.4-liter car.
The price of No. 97 gasoline, which was recognized as being environmentally friendly, had jumped to more than eight yuan (US$1.22) per liter in Shenzhen by the end of February.
Driving more than 20,000 kilometers a year, Wang has to pay almost 18,000 yuan for fuel annually by using No. 93 gasoline, which sells for 7.49 yuan per liter.
As well as gasoline, other costs were becoming a burden for motorists.
A resident named Liu, who works in Huaqiangbei, has to pay about 7,200 yuan a year for parking.
Most residential communities in Shenzhen charge 250 yuan a month for each underground parking space.
Taking into account all expenses, a motorist with a car costing 200,000 yuan spends an extra 50,000 yuan a year.
(Martin Li)
