Why Is Fuel Prices So High?

By Wayne Truter

History has it that the gasoline prices have been higher than the diesel fuel prices. But then again, this does not always hold true. During some winters, the demand for distillate heating oil increases which also raises the price of diesel fuel?so much so that is becomes more expensive than gasoline.

Regardless, anyone who has a stake in the way diesel prices change or move should at least attempt to understand what drives these fuel prices from going up or going down. By understanding what drives these movements and how the prices are determined, one is able to better foresee and interpret the various economic indicators that usually point to a time of increases in prices and the like.

The concept of water being used as fuel is simple. You will be using Hydrogen gas or H2 gas instead of diesel fuel or gasoline. Right now, technology still doesn't permit us to utilize 100% Hydrogen gas on a car. It is usually mixed with a little bit of diesel, but still it reduces the money you'll have to pay for diesel fuel. When you use the hybrid of diesel and hydrogen gas in your car, your car runs efficiently and it will get you to where you need to go.

Tight refining capacity and international diesel fuel demand ? Refineries in the United States have been in operations at around 90-percent capacity. Other countries depend more heavily on distillates and diesel fuel than does United States, thus making the refining capacity tight worldwide. Competing international demand for refined distillates affects the price of diesel fuel in the United States.Product supply/demand imbalances ? The prices of other commodities are more stable as compared to the prices of fuels because of the dependence on petroleum and because there are few alternative fuels in the market. The stocks decline fast if the supply declines unexpectedly. When stocks are low and declining, some players may bid higher for the product. Prices will stay high if the diesel fuel transportation system cannot support the flow of surplus supplies.

Costs in order to bring the refined oil to the market?both marketing and distribution?also add material and at times, expensive costs to diesel fuel. This is because the transportation of oil, the marketing and advertising operations of the oil firms, and the manpower necessary to run all these operations, all involve costs that the company must incur in order to sell the final refined oil product to the market. Gasoline stations from where people get both gasoline and diesel fuel also incur costs for operations, a part of which is also levied on the retail prices of refined oil.Over and above these production costs, governments levy taxes on oil products, creating greater impetus to increase fuel prices. It is the combination of these cost contributors that determine the dynamics of diesel fuel prices in the retail market.And will this fuel prices ever effect our car insurance estimates, if fuel goes up our insurances must come down. - 21396

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Hope you like this article about fuel prices Wayne also writes about car insurance estimates and student car insurance. Be advise not to miss your opportunity to read them as well!