Posted: May 19, 2025
Diesel fuel price factors
What causes the fluctuations
Using diesel fuel to power a vehicle or another type of engine can be quite beneficial for a variety of reasons.
Engines that are powered with diesel fuel tend to be more efficient than engines that are powered with traditional gasoline. Thanks to the fact today’s diesel fuel is cleaner and greener than it has ever been makes it environmentally friendly. Diesel engines can maintain a safe speed of 65 miles per hour or under – something that gasoline-powered engines simply cannot do (they need to run at a high RPM in order to operate).
Even with all these clear advantages, it is still important to understand that the price of diesel fuel often fluctuates the same way the prices of standard gasoline, certain groceries and our utility bills do.
Let’s take a look at exactly why this happens.
Why diesel fuel prices fluctuate
The cost of diesel fuel is impacted by a few different elements:
- Local regulations and taxes: Any sort of safety or environmental regulations can impact how much diesel fuel is going to cost. Taxes can increase how much it costs to produce diesel fuel, which is going to influence the fuel’s final price. What you end up paying when you fill up your vehicle is going to include tax and that exact number varies from state to state.
- Good old supply and demand: Diesel fuel is subject to the basic concept of supply and demand just the way most of the goods and products we purchase are. When global demand for diesel fuel is high the price will be high as well. When there is less demand, costs will drop.
- Production costs: There are all sorts of costs associated with diesel fuel, including production costs, transportation costs, labor costs and distribution costs. If and when any of these prices increase, the cost of diesel fuel will follow.
- The cost of crude oil: The price of crude oil has the biggest influence on how much diesel fuel is going to cost.
- Supply disruptions: If there are ever interruptions in supplying adequate amounts of diesel fuel to the market due to geopolitical tensions or a similar issue it will become more expensive to purchase.
Know how to store your diesel fuel
Since diesel fuel can be more costly at times depending on any of the above factors, taking care of it and helping it last for as long as possible is important. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- The only type of portable tanks that you should store diesel fuel in are ones that have been approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT), Underwriter Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
- Treat your diesel fuel with biocides and stabilizers, which will help reduce your risk of experiencing microbial growth.
- To reduce the risk of a fire, follow the National Fire Protection and International Fire Code guidelines.
- Keep your diesel fuel out of direct sunlight and store it in a dry place where temperatures don’t exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fraticelli Oil & Propane has diesel fuel
If your central Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire business is looking for a diesel fuel provider look no further than Fraticelli Oil & propane. We carry both on-road and off-road diesel fuel.
Contact Fraticelli Oil & Propane today to start receiving diesel fuel services from a company who you can count on.
