网站每天发布最新油价信息

Since the most recent price adjustment, the average price of number 93 gasoline in the domestic market has exceeded eight yuan per liter. Instead of driving, many penny-pinching motorists have chosen to take buses or the subway instead. But others have joined the growing ranks of online bargain hunters who search for the lowest gas prices before they hit the road. The Chinese media has dubbed this group "youmi," meaning that they save every penny they can on gas. Li Jun is one of them.

"I'd usually check the gas prices online using my mobile phone before I drive. I usually can find the best deal and drive to the nearest gas station to fill the tank."

When Li Jun discovers a gas station with better deals, he voluntarily posts the information online to spread the good news.

"I feel quite happy when I find such a gas station, and the information is released for the first time before anyone else does it."

OK619.com is one website that provides a platform for people like Li Jun to find information and exchange ideas. People can also make comments about gas stations' service and gasoline quality. Manager Xing Ruisong says the website has attracted many users.

"There are around 95-thousand gas stations throughout the country. We follow the price changes of 70-thousand of them, which account for 70 percent. We update the price information five times a month, and the prices usually don't change within 30 days."

Some smart IT companies have also seized the business opportunity by producing software designed to help mobile phone users find the cheapest gas prices. With only a simple click, they can get a list of the nearest gas stations, including information about their location, driving routes and gas prices. The software can also tell mobile users what the nearest station with the best deal is.

Interestingly, most of the gas stations that offer lower prices are privately owned. Some have prices that are 50 cents per liter lower than those of the three national gas chains—Sinopec, China Petrol and China National Offshore Oil Company. At the privately owned stations, some drivers can even save more than 70 cents per liter of gasoline if they have a membership card. Customers filling their tanks give positive feedback.

"I can save dozens of yuan on a full tank. The quality of the gas from these privately owned stations is equally good."

"By filling the car's tank at these cheaper places, I can save two-hundred to six-hundred yuan per month on commuting expenses."

There are more than 12-hundred gas stations in Beijing. Four hundred of them offer up to nine different discounts. By directly lowering gas prices and offering membership discounts, some stations have been able to attract motorists to come in and fill their tanks during off-peak times.

But gasoline quality is still a concern for some customers. If the quality at privately owned stations is as equally good as that from stations run by the three national gas providers, people wonder how they can offer much cheaper deals when China's largest fuel providers can't cut any corners.

Now on those gas price websites, a large number of consumers say in online forums that they have become big fans of privately owned stations. And even if some of them are not easy to find, looking for better deals has become part of their daily fun.

For CRI, I'm Liu Min.