Diesel Fuel and the Trucking Industry: Trends and Challenges

You can always count on W.H. Riley & Son

Diesel fuel is used to power a variety of vehicles and machines, including trucks, agricultural equipment, generators, buses, and commercial vehicles. Businesses that use diesel fuel really benefit from this choice. For example, diesel fuel-powered engines tend to be more efficient than gasoline-powered engines. On top of that, the diesel fuel that is currently out there on the market is now cleaner and more environmentally friendly than it has ever been.

Despite the helpful benefits diesel fuel provides to its customers, there are certain challenges a business owner can face by making it his or her fuel of choice.

The challenges you can run into by using diesel fuel

Diesel fuel is an incredibly important, sometimes pivotal, part of many businesses here in southeastern Massachusetts and nationwide. When there are challenges with the fuel, this can present major problems to a business. In certain situations, a company’s productivity and, therefore, bottom line, can be impacted.

Let’s look at some of the issues a business within the trucking industry can run into with diesel fuel:

• Government rules & regulations: In an attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, various levels of government are focusing on diesel fuel. This has created challenges for the trucking industry, considering that fleet managers now have to deal with biofuels and electric vehicles. Additionally, some of the rules that are being put in place are evolving, making it hard for certain fleet managers to keep up.
• Increased associated costs: As of 2014, diesel fuel is not allowed to contain more than 15 parts per million of sulfur, per the Environmental Protection Agency. This rule was put in place to help decrease diesel emissions. As a result of this new rule, the cost of refining diesel fuel increased, making its production process more expensive.
• A lack of accessibility: The demand for diesel fuel is constantly high. After all, it is used to power trucks, construction equipment, buses, freighters, tractors, trains, and forklifts. However, the amount of diesel fuel that is available doesn’t always match the demand.
• You pay more in taxes: The tax is higher on diesel fuel than it is on standard gasoline. On top of that, states charge additional taxes on the fuel, both of which make things more expensive for the transportation industry.

Where is diesel fuel headed?

Diesel fuel is on the rise. In fact, over the last six years, the United States has been producing more crude oil than any country ever has.

Additionally, lower-carbon products such as biodiesel and renewable diesel are being incorporated into diesel fuel more frequently.

W.H. Riley & Son is a diesel fuel provider you can count on

Since diesel fuel is such an important piece of so many businesses, finding a reliable provider who you can count on is also important. This is where W.H. Riley & Son comes in. We have the diesel fuel that your business needs to stay up and running. Our team can either deliver a bulk fuel order directly to you or you can pick up your fuel at one of our locations.

Contact W.H. Riley & Son to learn more about our diesel fuel.