cost of diesel

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
Post Reply
jimmacsrx7
Speed Setter
Speed Setter
Posts: 102
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:47 pm
Location: Upton MA

cost of diesel

Post by jimmacsrx7 » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:26 pm

Does anyone know why diesel fuel is so expensive? I have assumed there is less chemicals in diesel than in unleaded premium fuels and yet the price is much higher on avg than the top premium at the pump. I figure it is just because they can. If the big rigs want to go to work,pay up.
I like the use of the new diesel engines in autos and the improved torque and fuel mileage but there is no incentive to pay more for the car up front and then pay a lot more at the pump. Anyone have any ideas?

Jim McNamara

jeffw
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 916
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:51 am
Location: Wilmington, MA

Re: cost of diesel

Post by jeffw » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:32 pm

It's all related to what the refineries produce, and the demand (it's similar to home heating oil, so in the winter there is more demand). Also, the shift to Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel has added some cost (though that lets us finally get the cool European diesel engines we've been missing out on for a while).

I just filled up my car hauler this weekend, and diesel was the same price as regular ($2.739, IIRC). In the past year I've paid between $2.69 and $3 a gallon.

I almost always see diesel costing the same or less than premium unleaded....
Jeff Wasilko
On the Track: 1995 Miata #08
To the Track: 2007 Volvo 780
On the Street: 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar

CP
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 524
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:19 pm
Location: West Simsbury, CT

Re: cost of diesel

Post by CP » Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:02 am

Got 21mpg in my truck around town for the last tank...500+ miles. I still get 15+mpg while towing my racecar with my Cummins. I plug it in at night during the winter so I've got heat in 10 minutes. I forget where I read this, but x amount of diesel has considerably more potential energy than x amount of gasoline, even though it is less refined.
-Cy
99 Spec Miata (SM/STU/STL/EP)
2011, 2013, 2014 NER STU Champion

User avatar
breakaway500
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 am
Location: In my shop,usually.

Re: cost of diesel

Post by breakaway500 » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:30 am

I love my Cummins powered Dodge as well,and get about the same mileage as Cy. I don't drive mine in the winter,though.
I heard from a friend in military purchasing that the main reason for escalated diesel fuel prices is the demand by the military for the product.Every drop they burn over seas in military vehicles is refined in the USA and shipped over.He says the military uses 65% of the diesel refined here in the States.That's a lot of juice!
It's not what you drive, it's how you drive. "Lap times matter"

User avatar
DanDarcy
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 764
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:59 am
Location: Belchertown, Mass.

Re: cost of diesel

Post by DanDarcy » Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:35 am

Mark ----- only two more posts :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

Lets not for get that our wonderful government also taxes diesel higher than gas :( :( :( :(

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Dan D'Arcy
Lotus Exige Cup Car #069 SU
Lotus Elise #310 SD
Chevron B64 Formula SU
http://www.allpowersales.com/

User avatar
breakaway500
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:47 am
Location: In my shop,usually.

Re: cost of diesel

Post by breakaway500 » Thu Dec 24, 2009 10:52 am

ONE MORE............. :shock:
It's not what you drive, it's how you drive. "Lap times matter"

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest