Rajan Wilcox
The cost of diesel fuel for trucks is a significant consideration for both individual truck owners and trucking companies. While diesel trucks offer better fuel economy and tend to degrade slower than gasoline trucks, diesel fuel typically costs more per gallon. Various factors influence a truck's fuel efficiency and, consequently, its fuel expenditure, including the truck's maintenance, payload, driving conditions, and driving behaviour. Understanding these factors and calculating fuel efficiency and cost per mile are crucial for trucking companies to optimise profits and for individual truck owners to make informed purchasing decisions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel efficiency | 30 to 40 litres of diesel for every 62 miles/100km driven |
| Fuel efficiency of larger trucks | 38 litres per 62 miles |
| Fuel efficiency of smaller trucks | 25 litres per 62 miles |
| Fuel efficiency of light commercial vehicles | 9 litres per 62 miles |
| Fuel efficiency of semi-trucks | 6.5 miles per gallon |
| Fuel efficiency of trucks | 5.7 miles per gallon |
| Fuel efficiency per mile | 37 cents |
| Fuel efficiency of trucks | Changes over time depending on maintenance, tires, and routes driven |
| Fuel efficiency | Depends on whether the truck travels at a constant speed or frequently changes speed and shifts gears |
| Fuel efficiency | Depends on whether the truck is climbing hills or driving on a flat road |
| Fuel efficiency | Depends on the driver's behaviour |
| Fuel costs | Diesel trucks tend to have higher upfront costs and maintenance requirements |
| Fuel costs | Diesel trucks may offer better fuel efficiency for those driving over 30,000 miles per year |
| Fuel costs | Diesel trucks may be a better financial decision for those hauling things cross-country regularly |
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Fuel efficiency
To calculate the fuel efficiency of a truck, one can follow these steps:
- Fill up the truck's fuel tank completely and record the number of gallons.
- Note the odometer reading before starting the trip.
- After the trip, subtract the initial odometer reading from the final reading to determine the number of miles driven.
- Divide the number of miles driven by the number of gallons of fuel used to get the truck's fuel efficiency in miles per gallon.
For example, let's say a truck travels 1,083 miles and consumes 190 gallons of fuel. Its fuel efficiency would be 5.7 miles per gallon (1,083 miles / 190 gallons).
Once the fuel efficiency of the truck is known, one can calculate the price per-mile fuel spending. This is done by taking the current per-gallon price of diesel and dividing it by the truck's miles per gallon. For instance, if diesel costs $2.10 per gallon and the truck's fuel efficiency is 5.7 miles per gallon, the price per-mile fuel spending would be approximately 37 cents (rounded up from 36.84 cents) per mile.
It is worth noting that diesel trucks generally have better fuel efficiency than gas-powered trucks, especially at highway speeds. Diesel engines offer higher torque output and better fuel economy, with some diesel trucks averaging 18-20% better fuel economy than their gas-fed counterparts. However, diesel fuel tends to be more expensive than gasoline, and diesel trucks have higher maintenance requirements, which can offset the fuel savings. Therefore, when considering the purchase of a diesel truck, it is essential to evaluate the intended use, maintenance costs, and fuel prices to make an informed decision.
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Maintenance costs
Fuel Efficiency and Driving Conditions: The fuel efficiency of a diesel truck plays a significant role in overall maintenance costs. Factors such as driving conditions and terrain can impact fuel efficiency. For example, frequent speed changes, shifting gears, traffic jams, and hilly terrains can lead to higher fuel consumption. On the other hand, maintaining a constant speed can help optimize fuel efficiency. Additionally, the age and condition of the truck can also affect fuel efficiency, with older trucks typically being less fuel-efficient than newer models.
Oil and Filter Changes: Regular oil and filter changes are crucial for diesel trucks. Diesel engines require high-pressure oil to lubricate the injectors, and neglecting oil changes can lead to increased maintenance costs in the long run. The frequency of oil changes can vary, but for diesel trucks, it is commonly recommended to change the oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Oil and filter costs can vary, but budgeting around $65 for every 5,000 miles is a reasonable estimate.
Glow Plugs and Spark Plugs: Diesel trucks use glow plugs to warm the air-fuel mixture, while gasoline trucks typically use spark plugs. Glow plugs in diesel engines can last up to 100,000 miles or more, whereas spark plugs in gasoline engines may need replacement every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. This longer lifespan of glow plugs can result in lower maintenance costs for diesel trucks compared to their gasoline counterparts.
Emissions Reduction Technology: Diesel trucks often incorporate complex emissions reduction technology to comply with environmental regulations. This technology helps reduce the release of harmful toxins, but it can also contribute to higher upfront costs for diesel trucks. Gasoline trucks, on the other hand, may have lower listing prices since they don't require the same level of emissions reduction technology.
Towing Capacity and Usage: Diesel trucks are known for their superior towing capacity and torque, making them ideal for heavy-duty hauling. However, if the truck is not regularly utilized for hauling or towing, the benefits of diesel may not outweigh the maintenance costs. It is essential to consider the intended usage and annual mileage to determine if the advantages of diesel align with your specific needs.
Fuel Costs: While fuel costs can fluctuate, diesel fuel typically costs more per gallon than gasoline. However, diesel trucks often have better fuel efficiency, particularly on highways and when towing. To make an informed decision, calculate the fuel efficiency of your truck and compare it against the current per-gallon cost of diesel fuel. This will help you understand the actual fuel costs and determine if diesel fuel expenses align with your budget.
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Distance travelled
The distance travelled is a crucial factor in determining a diesel truck's fuel efficiency and overall fuel costs. Fuel efficiency is typically measured in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometres per litre (KPL). It represents how many miles or kilometres a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel.
The average fuel efficiency of semi-trucks is around 6.5 MPG, translating to approximately 19.69 ounces or slightly over a pint of diesel used per mile. However, this figure can vary depending on various factors, including terrain, climate, driving behaviour, and engine specifications. For instance, driving in mountainous regions or heavy traffic can significantly increase diesel consumption. Similarly, aggressive driving or frequent acceleration can decrease fuel efficiency.
Larger trucks with higher payloads tend to have lower fuel efficiency. A truck with a payload of 23.5 tonnes may consume around 38 litres of diesel per 62 miles, while a smaller truck with a 16-tonne payload might use about 25 litres for the same distance. Light commercial vehicles, weighing under 3 tonnes, have significantly lower fuel consumption, with an estimated fuel efficiency of about 9 litres per 62 miles.
To accurately calculate fuel efficiency and costs per mile, it is essential to consider the distance travelled, fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the current fuel price. By dividing the distance by the fuel efficiency, you can determine the total number of gallons (or litres) of fuel consumed. Then, by taking the current fuel price per gallon and dividing it by the vehicle's miles per gallon, you can calculate the cost per mile. This calculation enables trucking companies to make informed decisions about profitability, maintenance, and fuel-saving strategies.
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Vehicle weight
The weight of a vehicle has a direct impact on the amount of fuel it consumes. This applies to diesel trucks as well. Research by Smith Bros. shows that a mere 10% increase in gross vehicle weight can result in a 5% increase in fuel consumption. Therefore, the heavier the load, the higher the fuel costs.
The weight of diesel fuel is about 7 pounds per gallon in the US and 7.1 pounds per gallon at 16 degrees Fahrenheit. At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, this figure is 6.9 pounds per gallon. A full tank of fuel, which can hold 125 to 300 gallons of fuel, can weigh anywhere from 875 to 2,100 pounds. For instance, 100 gallons of diesel fuel weigh about 700 pounds.
The weight of the fuel itself is an important consideration when calculating the total weight of a truck, especially when it's time to hit the scales. Federal law in the US dictates weight limits for trucks: single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, axles spaced between 40 and 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds, and the gross vehicle weight is limited to 80,000 pounds.
To improve fuel efficiency, it is recommended to reduce any extra weight in the vehicle, especially in the trunk or on the roof. Removing unnecessary cargo can improve fuel economy by 1-2%. Additionally, maintaining proper tire pressure, reducing idling time, using cruise control, and avoiding aggressive driving can all contribute to better fuel efficiency.
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Fuel price
The cost of diesel fuel for trucks varies depending on several factors, including the truck's fuel efficiency, the distance travelled, and the price of diesel fuel.
On average, semi-trucks get about 6.5 miles per gallon of diesel fuel, but this can range from 5.7 to 7 miles per gallon, depending on factors such as driving habits, traffic conditions, road terrain, vehicle maintenance, and the age of the truck. To calculate the fuel efficiency of a truck, one can fill up the fuel tank, record the number of gallons and the odometer reading, drive a certain distance, and then calculate the miles per gallon by dividing the distance travelled by the number of gallons consumed.
The cost of diesel fuel fluctuates and is typically higher than gasoline. In one example, the per-gallon price of diesel was $2.10, and with a truck's fuel efficiency of 5.7 miles per gallon, the cost per mile was calculated to be approximately 37 cents. This calculation can be used to determine the fuel cost for a specific route or distance and can be compared to the expected revenue to assess the profitability of a trip.
To optimize fuel efficiency and reduce fuel costs, truckers can adopt fuel-efficient driving practices, such as maintaining a constant speed and avoiding frequent acceleration, deceleration, and gear shifting. Additionally, proper maintenance, including regular oil changes and the use of fuel-efficient technologies, can contribute to reduced fuel consumption.
It is worth noting that the decision to choose between a diesel or gasoline truck depends on various factors beyond fuel costs. Diesel trucks tend to have higher upfront costs, longer lifespans, and lower maintenance requirements, while gasoline trucks are more prevalent in the market due to their lower initial costs, despite having higher maintenance needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel trucks tend to be more expensive than gas-powered trucks, costing around $5,000 to $11,000 more upfront.
To calculate your truck's fuel efficiency, fill up your truck's fuel tank completely and record the number of gallons and the odometer reading. Then, subtract the earlier odometer reading from the current reading to get the number of miles driven. Finally, divide the number of miles driven by the number of gallons you used.
Take the current per-gallon price of diesel and divide it by your truck's miles per gallon. This will give you the cost per mile for your truck.
Driving at a constant speed, avoiding traffic jams and road construction, and maintaining proper tire pressure and engine speed can all help improve fuel efficiency. Additionally, consider solutions like Webfleet, which provides real-time data on fuel consumption and suggests the most fuel-efficient routes.
Diesel trucks can be a good investment due to their fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs compared to gas-powered trucks. They also degrade slower and have a higher resale value. However, diesel fuel tends to be more expensive, and diesel trucks may require more frequent fill-ups due to the limited availability of diesel fuel stations.
