Just curious...Diesel???

[cbass]

Just out of curiosity, I was wondering about Diesel prices where you live. Around here it doesn't make sense because diesel costs about 10 cents more than premium!! That means about 40 cents more than regular!!

This doesn't make sense cause it seems like diesel would take less refinement and work, and hence should be cheaper than regular gas.

What are some of the diesel prices where you live as compared ot regular???

 

[El_Cid_2000]

$2.10 I think. If so, it's about .10 more than I pay for premium.

Michael

 

[kevinhaeb]

2.15 currently in central TN. I traveled from CO to TN last week and the highest price was about 2.30 in southern Missouri and then 2.05 was the lowest in KY and parts of CO. That about covers it. It sucks to pay 60 dollars to fill a truck, but thats life.

 

[Paul Grant]

I'm in Litchfield County, CT and while I was just out driving around I saw that diesel was going for $2.49/gal at the Sunoco gas station I use. Ultra 93 was going for $2.25/gal while regular was 'only' $2.09/gal. Believe it or not but that station along with the local Citgo are two of the cheapest in the region. I've been driving my wife's VW a lot more these days as 30mpg is easier to take than 12-13mpg! I'm bracing for $3/gal and $75 fill -ups! Ouch!

 

[Alan]

Regular here is $0.849/liter. Diesel is about $0.819/liter.

For a while when regular was $0.799/liter, diesel was $0.829/liter.

Someone was saying there was/is a diesel fuel shortage hence the higher prices. Don't know if this is true or not.

 

[Paul Grant]

I should have mentioned that it's my impression that the reason diesel is getting so expensive is because, as of 2006, it's supposed to have a much lower sulpher content. I could be wrong but I thought I read somewhere that legislation is going to require a much cleaner burning diesel from 2006 on. This is part of the reason why the European car manufacturers have held off on selling their diesels here, the lower quality of the gas that has been available. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Alan]

This is already the case with industrial diesel engines. They had to meet tougher EPA certifications January 1 of last year. Cat, Cummins and Detroit Diesel and bring their engines in line with the new EPA levels or face a heavy fine.

 

[cbass]

Well Paul,
That would explain why diesel is more expensive then, wouldn't it. If they have to refine it more to get the sulphur out of it, then it'll probably cost more. I guess it could have something to do with a possible diesel shortage that was mentioned too. I still think it's rediculous that diesel is more expensive than premium.

I know in europe that diesel is cheaper than premium or even regular, so what's up with that???

 

[MarkP]

I suspect another factor is the end consumer. A majority of cars are gasoline and as the price goes up the consumer cuts back on driving and consumption. Demand goes down. The primary consumer of diesel is the trucking and commercial transportation industry. They can't cut back without a hit to the income bottom line. A case of supply and demand where demand is constant or increasing in a growing economy.

Another factor is the increased emissions requirements and the fact that we haven't built a refinery in the country in 20+ years. A significant percentage of fuel is being imported. Add Greenspans Dollar policies to the mix and prices go up.

 

[Alan]

Would this imply that if diesel has to be refined to European standards and eventually becomes the norm here (meaning more and more consumers switching to diesel vehicles), that the cost of diesel will eventually come down to something equivalent (relatively speaking) in Europe?

Or will we just get hosed on diesel as well...

 

[Aaron Owens]

I always thought it had to do with diesel and heating oils being closely related or so I had heard. Demand rising for heating oils in the winter driving price up and in turn driving diesel up in the winter. Could be dead wrong though.

 

[Paul Grant]

I would imagine the reason gasoline is higher in Europe than diesel has to do with the tax structure rather than refinement costs. It would seem that in an effort to persuade the consumer to use more fuel efficient vehicles, gasoline taxes are higher than the more efficient diesel. Along these lines, most European countries have automobile taxes that go up based on engine displacement. I remember back in the '80's Ferrari had a 208GTi for the home market instead of the 308GTi for the rest of the world.

 

[antichrist]

I always thought it had to do with diesel and heating oils being closely related or so I had heard. Demand rising for heating oils in the winter driving price up and in turn driving diesel up in the winter. Could be dead wrong though.

No, you're spot on. One of the factors driving the cost of crude is cold snaps in the US and so a greater demand for home heating oil, which directly competes with refinning diesel (you can burn home heating oil in a diesel engine).

What alot of people fail to factor in is mpg. Right now here in Atlanta I see regular for $1.95, plus for $2.05 and super (and diesel) for $2.15 (or $2.20 for diesel). Given that my 95 Disco takes plus at $2.05, even paying $2.20 for diesel, at 30mpg I'd be paying effectively about $1.10 per gallon compared to petrol for miles driven. I could live with that.

 

[cbass]

Good point on the gas mileage antichrist, I had thought of that too. I love diesel technology personally. I find it a lot more interesting then gasoline engines.

 

[Blueboy]

what is totally crazy is I'm paying R$1.59/liter for diesel in Sao Paulo.

at today's exchange rate, that is equal to U$2.20/gallon.



Jaime