More diesel autos = Higher Fuel Prices?

[HeavyHauler]

Don't know how many of you read Truck Trend but I've been thinking about their articles in the "Diesel Special" edition a few months ago.



With the increased popularity in diesel engines in cars and trucks, and with Mercedes talking about sending more diesels over here within a couple of years, not to mention Volkswagen selling more and more diesels every year, does anyone think that this would give the fuel distributors an incentive to jack up fuel prices?



Now before any of you go off on a tangent, listen to a few things. I think that most of us all agree that the primary reason we enjoy such cheap fuel for our diesels is because of the trucking industry. If diesel fuel prices were jacked up, the economy as we know it would more than likely plummet, not to mention the outraged truckers that everyone would have to deal with. With that being said, if more auto diesel drivers got out there on the road, would this increased percentage of diesel autos be enough to raise diesel prices to that of gasoline?



At my local fueling station, diesel is nearly always 12 to 13 cents cheaper than regular gas. With my tank bone dry, I usualy spend about $45. 00 to fill it up, most of the time it's cheaper though. My Mom spends nearly that much filling up her '99 Cadillac with high octane. Don't you think that people will eventually get wise to this fact and get a diesel?



Just some food for thought, I'll probably add more later... as if it wasn't long enough already.

 

[dslmacdown]

I would have to agree because higher demand = higher prices if the supply stayed the same or dimished.



MAC

 

[Badunit]

The dynamics might actually be just the opposite. Around here there are relatively few stations that sell diesel. The price varies from a low near regular gas to a high that's above premium (and that's within just one name brand of fuel). With few stations and with distance between them, there is less competition and they can set whatever prices they feel they can get. Also, if diesel isn't a hot seller, the costs of the tanks, the pumps, etc. gets spread across fewer purchases and the prices are therefore higher. I'd actually like more diesels on the road so more stations would carry it, there would be more competition on price, and the tanks would get replenished more often.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Originally posted by Badunit

I'd actually like more diesels on the road so more stations would carry it, there would be more competition on price, and the tanks would get replenished more often.

That's one of the main drawbacks for buying more diesel autos right now - the lack of stations that carry it in small areas and towns. Something's gonna have to give - whether it more diesel autos on the road or more stations that carry the fuel.



Diesel can be hard to find - when I was in north Florida, I had to drive over 10 miles to find a station with diesel in a heavy populated area. Whereas, I can be in my small town of about 4,000 and find diesel at every station. I guess it's all about demographics.

 

[jandtjil]

I am not 100% on this but I believe Diesel requires less processing than gasoline, and that currently more product by percentage of a refineries output is toward gasoline. If Diesel becomes the fuel of choice it seems to me that more production would be placed towards diesel keeping the price stable or even lower.

This would give our gaso driving neighbors a taste of pulling up to an island only to find 1 nozzles. HAH

my . 02



JJ

 

[klenger]

I really doubt the a few more diesel cars would make much of a dent in the demand for diesel compared to the trucks, airplanes, heating oil, trains, etc.

 

[Champane Flight]

Actually

Actually, it is the other way around. The oil companys have relalized that the trucking industry has to have diesel and without the trucking industry the nation would fold. This and the refining process for our new lower sulfer fuels is driving prices up. But, if you really want to see the culprit, you might want to find out exactly how much tax is added to your basic fuel price in your state.



If the trucking industry wanted it could lower it operating cost and raise its freight rates in about 48 hours. If all trucking halted for just 48 hours, the nation would be frozen. The oil companys would have to bend.

 

[bgilbert]

Without trucks, America stops.

 

[ndurbin]

taxes on diesel and gas here in kansas run somethin like . 41 and . 49. Some gas stations have stickers right on the pumps saying how much it is taxed.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

gas vs. diesel

I have read that it cost about 1/2 to refine a gallon of diesel as compared to a gallon of gasoline from crude. Diesel was commonly 1/2 the cost of gasoline at the pump years ago, until the government deregulated the petroleum industry. The oil companies realized that the railroad, barge, and trucking industries had to have diesel, so have been sticking a fat pig with diesel prices, in order to subsidize cheap gasoline prices for "Joe Consumer". Poor Joe doesn't have a clue that his cheap gasoline is costing him $ every time he buys a tube of toothpaste, because the transportation companies have had to pass the higher cost of diesel on the the form of "fuel surcharges". Granted, road use taxes are a little higher for diesel than gas, but that doesn't begin to justify the high price of diesel that most of us are paying.



Ray

 

[1sand0s]

Not that I would ever suggest this... But you KNOW, you could always run an aux tank, with a manual return capable switcher, a guage sender in it...



Keep stabilizer in the OEM tank in case you got sampled... Then get thyself a 250 with a pump in your yard and run the highways loaded with heating oil...



Of course, I would never REALLY suggest doing that. It is illegal.

I know you are all good sheeple and would never go against the government by burning dyed fuel in your truck. . #ad

 

[Midnite]

Why not biodiesel? I've been brewing my own beer for years, and brewing up biodiesel doesn't sound all that tough from the recipes I've looked at. The real key sounds like getting a source of good used vegetable oil in quantity.



Mike

 

[C. Harlan]

Our taxes here are 38. 4 cents for gas per gallon, and I believe 44. 4 cents per Diesel gallon... a little steep but what are you going to do? Protest? I think not.



-Chris-

 

[lil red cummins]

diesel costs more than gas here. i believe part of the problem is that the truckers must buy diesel to survive. they dont represent as large a volume of comsumers as those that use gas, so, their collective voice is not as large. also, they can place a "fuel surcharge" on their freight bill and the recipient either pays it or doesnt get their freight. truckers by in large are very quiet, hard working people who dont have enough time to complain to the government about fuel prices. they need to make a living. it all adds up to the fuel companies getting away with higher diesel prices because they can!!!



gas here ranges from 1. 39 to 1. 59/gal. diesel is 1. 59/gal.



gas price changes almost daily, however diesel stays pretty consistent. i have not seen diesel price below gas for many years.



how are diesel prices in other states? how about canada?

 

[TnLRacing]

Within 15 mile radius of my house I usally get diesel between $1. 44 and $1. 49

 

[HeavyHauler]

Diesel at my local station has been $1. 35 for the last month, about 1 1/2 hours to the west the Love's truck stop has been staying around $1. 46. It's all demographics, if you're really interested, check out flying j's web site or love's - they have a link to all of their prices across the nation.



Click here for the Flying J web site.



Click here for the Love's web site.

 

[FWhite]

Check out this website. It is a good way to check Diesel prices before taking a trip. http://www.gocomchek.com/



Frank

 

[lil red cummins]

thanks guys. all good sites.



especially the gocomchek. i now realize we are not too far off the mark on average fuel price. unfortunately the closest one listed is about 50 miles away. there are some unlisted ones close to me that are competetive.