Part of what made diesel cars and trucks attractive in addition to the fact that they can be as much as 30% more fuel efficient, is that diesel fuel has traditionally been less expensive than regular gasoline.
Of course in the past few years this equation has not always been t he case. In the past year, diesel fuel has been as much as .40 to a full dollar more per gallon than gasoline when prices were at their peak last summer.
Like the rise and fall of gasoline prices, seeing diesel more expensive than gas never makes sense as it is cheaper to refine than gasoline by a long shot. Supply and demand, artificially low refining capacity have been given as reasons.
Through spring diesel car and truck owners have seen diesel fuel return to its natural place in the lineup, the bottom of the ladder. Right now diesel fuel is averaging .10-.25 cents a gallon LESS than regular gasoline in most large markets across the country.
It is said that the slumping economy has resulted in lower demand for diesel, causing its price to drop against gasoline. The long haul trucking and construction industries are the largest consumers of diesel, and they are not booming at the moment. Homebuilding is in the dumper, so contractors are not fueling up their Super Duty F-350’s as much.
The bottom line for now at least is that the natural order of things has returned for diesel pricing and we can rejoice in that. At least now, again a diesel car “pencils” when you consider the extra cost of purchase and maintenance. Higher miles per gallon and cheaper fuel. This is a good thing.
