Diesel FAQs - Energy Information Administration

Frequently Asked Questions – Diesel

Questions About Diesel...

	How do I calculate/find diesel fuel surcharges?
	Why are diesel fuel prices higher than gasoline prices?
	What are projected diesel prices through 2008?
	Why don’t fuel prices change as quickly as crude oil prices?
	When was the last refinery built in the United States?

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Learn More About Diesel!

Visit our Petroleum Basics 101 page to learn about diesel and other petroleum-based fuels.

Question: How do I calculate/find diesel fuel surcharges?

The Energy Information Administration does not calculate, assess, or regulate diesel fuel surcharges.
	EIA cannot tell you how to calculate a fuel surcharge. Fuel surcharges are negotiated privately by the shipper and the trucking company.
	Every company has its own method for calculating surcharges. Many major carriers have information on how they calculate their surcharges on their web sites. EIA cannot and does not endorse a particular method, but you can perform an Internet search for “fuel surcharge trucking” for more information.
	EIA collects and disseminates weekly retail diesel fuel price data. Many shippers and truckers use that weekly retail price information in their fuel pricing formulas.

Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Prices (Monday’s prices as of 8:00 A.M Eastern)

Last Reviewed: April 17, 2008

Question: Why are diesel fuel prices higher than gasoline prices?

Historically, the average price of on-highway diesel fuel was usually lower than or close to the price of regular gasoline. In some cold winters demand for distillate heating oil pushed diesel fuel prices higher. Since September 2004, diesel prices have been higher than regular gasoline prices almost continuously for several reasons:
	High worldwide demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils, especially in Europe, China, India and the United States, and a tight global refining capacity available to meet demand.
	The transition to lower-sulfur diesel fuels in the United States is affecting diesel fuel production and distribution costs.
	The Federal excise tax on on-highway diesel fuel is 6 cents per gallon higher (at 24.4 cents/gallon) than the tax on gasoline.
Diesel Fuel Prices: What Consumers Should Know
Last updated: March 19, 2008

Question: What are projected diesel prices through 2008?

EIA’s diesel price 18-month projections are updated monthly in the Short-Term Energy Outlook.

U.S. Diesel Fuel Prices & Chart (xls) from the Short Term Energy Outlook

Last reviewed: June 12, 2008

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