diesel price vs. gas

[3RRL]

Dargo,
I've done my share of bending over at the pump too.
About 6 months ago, the nearest station had diesel for $5.79! Can you believe that? I was so PO'ed but had to get at least a few gallons to drive to the next spot which was only about .30 cents cheaper.
Now, I noticed for the first time in a long time that diesel is the same price as regular. Lower than premium or middle grade gas. It's down below 4 bucks a gallon out here. I never dreamed I'd be saying "Gee, what a deal."

 

[RobJ]

Dargo,

I probably would not try this in a newer diesel truck, but maybe he was doing something wrong. The bio diesel thing looks a little more involved when you see it on tv.

On older diesels I guess it's working, people seem to be using it(no one I know personally). It's not going in my tractor!

 

[denmansoft]

Biodiesel can be made at home and be fine for most engines. But like making beer or wine at home it takes the right gear and process to get a good product. Much as I would like, my Kubota will get it nurishment from a pump for a while yet....

 

[machmeter62]

I think there is many factors that determine the cost of fuels? I don't know which is more expensive to make either, but this may reflect some of the cost relating to how much energy you are buying, in "BTU" content? There is more energy in a gallon of diesel, than a gallon of gasoline, which may justify a cost increase over gasoline? We are basically buying heat in a liquid form, to use it for mechanical energy. Some of the costs are supply and demand, however?

Then there is the freight factor, that may have added costs also? It costs more to ship diesel than gas, because diesel fuel weighs about a pound more per gallon than gas, which these "big rigs" carry thousands of gallons....more cost/mile for delivery? And the delivery trucks are all diesel powered. Maybe related to airlines charging schemes? These issues could be just my petty thoughts?

 

[twodogs]

I heard that the diesel price jumped due the extra refining to go low sulfur. I don't know how true that is, which is why I checked with you folks. I know that fuels in general have gone nuts, but in my mind, they should have moved proportionally. Diesel was cheaper than gas when I got my tractor, but it has blown it away in costs.

 

[RalphVa]

Diesel price went up above gas price well before ULSD came into being. What happened was that most states put more taxes on diesel to make the truckers pay for the road damage done by their trucks AND to plain get more fuel taxes without affecting the general public (but it does by raising the prices of almost everything they buy, because most stuff comes by truck from somewhere).

From the refinery, diesel is cheaper than gas because less has to be done to it. Probably about half of our gasoline comes from refining that cracks heavier-than-diesel components into gasoline and, yes, more diesel.

Ralph

 

[dmccarty]

Dargo,

I probably would not try this in a newer diesel truck, but maybe he was doing something wrong. The bio diesel thing looks a little more involved when you see it on tv.

I don't think the guy in Dargo's story was running Bio. He was running WVO(Waste Veggie Oil). The idea is that you just filter the gunk out and feed it to the engine. You might be able to filter out the water and particulates but the acids and other gunk? Some people feed SVO(Straight Veggie Oil) which is cleaner. The systems I have seen to do this have a tank to hold the WVO/SVO. The tank is plumb to keep the WVO/SVO warm otherwises it will gel in cold weather.

I think one is nuts to do either WVO/WVO unless one can afford to buy a new engine.

I have read about Bio. Should be ok but it seems like if the process is not done just right you could be in trouble. Given the risk, price, and loss of performance I just don't see the point in using Bio.

If you make Bio you have to mess with some pretty nasty chemicals, spend some money, and be real consistent with the process. Then there is the waste to get rid of. Our local commercial Bio maker just pumped it into the sewer and clogged up the sewage plant. Nice guy. If he was not such a tree hugger he would have been toasted. Which he should have been.

Later,
Dan

 

[Lunk]

Personally I believe that Diesel Fuel's price is being kept artificially high by the oil companies in an effort to derail the plans of major auto manufacturers to introduce light-duty diesel engines in cars and trucks.

Can you imagine what would happen to overall consumption levels if diesel power became as popular as it is in Europe???

I don't know about you guys, but I'd buy a 1/2 ton P/U in a heartbeat if I could get a diesel one netting 25-30 mpg. I don't need 700 ft lbs of torque, or more horsepower than a class 8 regional tractor. 200 hp and 400-450 ft lbs would be **** near perfect.

Unfortunately for the consumers, I'm sure the planned intro of light-duty diesel will end up like the HD one - A battle for braggin' rights as to the most powerful, and the resulting lack of true fuel efficiency.

 

[MikePA]

Personally I believe that Diesel Fuel's price is being kept artificially high by the oil companies in an effort to derail the plans of major auto manufacturers to introduce light-duty diesel engines in cars and trucks.

There are fuel efficient vehicles the US automakers sell in Europe, as well as other vehicles sold in Europe, which our environmental regulations prevent from being sold here.

Believing in oil company conspiracies doesn't solve anything.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have driven European vehicles, specifically a Jaguar in Great Britain, with a small diesel engine and a 6 speed tranny. It got almost 50 MPG in mostly city and surburban driving and ran like a scalded ape. I dont believe it has anything to do with environmental regulations for them not selling that car engine in the states. It is simply that European countries have mandated that car manufacturers must average 40 MPG for all models. We in the USA have let the car companies lobby for so many years to let them wait on higher mileage cars that we are paying the price now. European countries have been paying almost $10 per gallon for fuel for years now which is why the public pushed for the higher gas mileage. We wont see that happen here till we demand it. Sure the technology may cost a few hundred buck more, buy will recoup that money quickly at $10 a gallon.
Anyone up for belief in a conspiracy between car manufacturers and big oil companies to keep our mileage low?