Diesel fuel relative pricing

C

cemiii

New member
About 3 months ago the price of diesel fuel was almost 60 cents higher than premium gasoline in the Bay Area. Today I saw it 14 cents under regular. That's almost a dollar difference in relative pricing.

While I suppose it's all a supply and demand thing at any given time, what's a guy to figure for the long run norm, if you're considering a possible new tow vehicle?

Chris
 
It's simple: the fuel pricing structure is a plot against me. In 2004, I needed a larger tow rig so I bought a diesel, because diesel fuel was considerably lower than the cheapest gas. That was the set up. Then all the fuel prices shot up, but I was still to the good side. That was the trap. Next, the gas prices dropped, but diesel stayed way high. There was the gotcha. So, after a few years of driving the big old Dodge to work, I finally admitted defeat and sprung for one of them yuppie hybrid cars that gets 45 miles per gallon of cheap gas. That was the set up. Guess what?? Now, not only has the gas gone back higher than the diesel, but people are making fun of me for my car.

I'm covered, though, because I still have the truck. If things get too bad I'll load that Prius in the back and just haul it around.
 
tpbrady":2xi2r402 said:
Diesel ($3.39 gal) in Anchorage is $1.08 more than regular gas. We are getting hosed.
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It would sure seem that way. There is always the discussion about diesel being higher priced in the winter because of the home heating oil being refined, making the supply of diesel more scarce, or blending with #1 because of the cold. But, I think you described the situation more frankly. All last summer while we were land traveling, diesel was WAY higher than gas. People cut back on their vehicle usage, but almost everything you buy gets moved by truck. Result: gas prices went down, while diesel stayed higher. They do it because they can. :amgry
 
TyBoo":3ka6fbgz said:
It's simple: the fuel pricing structure is a plot against me. In 2004, I needed a larger tow rig so I bought a diesel, because diesel fuel was considerably lower than the cheapest gas. That was the set up. Then all the fuel prices shot up, but I was still to the good side. That was the trap. Next, the gas prices dropped, but diesel stayed way high. There was the gotcha. So, after a few years of driving the big old Dodge to work, I finally admitted defeat and sprung for one of them yuppie hybrid cars that gets 45 miles per gallon of cheap gas. That was the set up. Guess what?? Now, not only has the gas gone back higher than the diesel, but people are making fun of me for my car.

I'm covered, though, because I still have the truck. If things get too bad I'll load that Prius in the back and just haul it around.
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:lol: Funny.

On a serious note I imagine some of the pricing has to do with world wide demand for diesel being up, but I'm no economist. The lowest I've seen deisel here of late is $2.19 per.
 
Bought Diesel yesterday at the Casino, Anacotes for $1.99999999/gal. Wished I had a tanker truck in tow. 2 days before I paid $2.56 on Whidbey Island.

Merv
 
Back in the early 70's, I delivered diesel and gas for Mobile Oil. I remember delivering to metro bus depots. The diesel I delivered was a mixture of kerosene and # 2 oil- not a very costly refined product.

I bought my own rig and drove over-the road for several years, during which, the diesel engine car was introduced to America. Bingo ! The price of diesel shot up.

Jim "Wild Blue" is on target when he says trucks have to move regardless of price, hence the still high price compared to gas.

Allan
 
I think maybe it's more complex than you may believe. First, remember there are no correlations between #2 burned as heating fuel and ULSD which is mandated for road use. When looking for a culprit, you need look no farther than congress, after all their the ones who set these "standards".

Oh yea, the refining costs are considerably higher when taking HEPD to ULSD! Until more refinerys can make low sulfur you will pay more.
Martin
 
I was waiting for someone to point out that it's not the oil company's fault but OUR (Govt, consumers, etc.) fault. After all we're the ones who set the price, by using the stuff, and try to keep our cities livable.

And we're the ones who drove the price to $4.50/gal. Actually the consumers drove the price down by refusing to use the stuff.

And now it's our fault that the oil companies price is going up, at least in Calif. They're switching to more expensive summer gasoline. Never mind that it's still winter. I can just see the contest in their PR room: who can think up the silliest reason, just to show everyone who's in control?

Those poor oil companies, knocked around by the people. Though they do manage to make record profits.

Boris
 
Martin,

Two weeks ago the price of diesel in Juneau was $2.79 a gallon. Gas was $2.07 and the legislature is still trying to find out why.
 
We usually pay way above average anywhere else in the country because we live right next to the refineries, I guess. But right now Chevron in Walnut Creek is $2.13 for regular and $1.99 for D.

I figure its all just a plot to help the troubled auto dealers. You know, everyone is going to have to own 2 trucks so that they can switch back and forth! :crook

Now there's a really green proposition.

Chris
 
Richard

This link to Gas Buddy shows the lowest BC diesel at Chilliwack and Price George lower than I've seen in a long time.
http://www.bcgasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=D

Chilliwack diesel price in US gallons and dollars= 3.785 x 71.9 x .777= $2.11 a gallon which is only slightly higher than your paying in Utah.

Prince George is 3.785x74.3x.777= $2.19 US gallon

No idea on water diesel prices.

Jay
 
I vote with Mike and Martin on this one. Think back to when diesel prices jumped suddenly and it parallels the ULSD requirement of 15 PPM of sulfur. ULSD in Europe and everywhere but the USA have a 50 PPM of sulfur standard. It is my understanding that the additional refining cost of 15 PPM diesel was not a consideration when the new standard was adopted, even though it translated into an additional $1.00+ increase at the pump.

All this took place within a year after Mike bought his new truck! Maybe it's a conspiracy rather than a set up.
 
Hi Jay,

Thanks for the link and price info.

What a difference! Lower price/barrel and $ conversion rates both.

Diesel was as much as $5.72/gallon on the road in BC last summer. $5.68 even in eastern WA. Cost $2,000 just for fuel to haul up to Prince Rupert and back. One truck fillup was $164!

Hey - if fuel dock prices are anywhere near as good as those road prices, maybe we should take advantage of the opportunity, and head north on the water through BC rather than towing to PR. Last time we did the whole PNW coast diesel was as low as $.95 on the water.
 
The marina at Cathlamet used to have the lowest on-the-water fuel prices of anywhere on the columbia. Anyone filled up there lately?
 
Just as a comment, the San Diego newspaper has a story on how the oil storage facilities are full, and they're storing crude in anchored supertankers. The story says that we just aren't using as much oil as we should and have found out how to do without it. This may be good news for the summer boating season.

Boris
 
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