Gas prices are high and climbing. But it’s one thing to pass a Shell station and notice the price per gallon creeping up and another to see the total cost on the pump. A midwest man recently went to fill up his truck and was shocked to see how much it was going to cost him.
In a TikTok with over 25,200 views as of this writing, content creator @sledhead85 shows how much it costs to fill his truck’s tank three-quarters of the way.
“This is getting a little ridiculous,” he begins.
The Midwest man is baffled by what he is witnessing while filling up his truck at the Shell station.
“Just over a three quarter tank of gas. $175,” he shares.
The truck is little over three quarters full and the dashboard reveals the projected fuel range is over 400 miles. The Midwest man has the diesel pump running and over 25 gallons has been fueled when he sees the $175 tab. Gas prices have continued to surge all year but this particular fill up got the man thinking.
“Like seriously, what the [expletive] is going on here? Someone please explain this to me,” he concludes.
‘Oil Companies Just Posted Record Profits. Again.’
Viewers oscillated between commiserating and throwing shade.
One wrote, "Don't own a diesel.”
Most blamed oil companies, however.
“Taxes, and oil companies straight up price gouging as they have done every time there is the slightest military action,” one speculated.
“It's called price gouging. Last time crude oil sold for this price. We paid .40 to .50 cents cheaper a gallon. They're doing it to try to prove a point and that they can't be touched. And they will charge what they want to,” another agreed.
A third complained, “Oil companies just posted record profits. Again.”
Why Is Diesel More Expensive?
In the 90’s gasoline cost less than a dollar per gallon. Adjusted for inflation, the price would be roughly $2 per gallon today.
Today the average price per gallon of gasoline nationwide is approximately $4.50, per AAA. In some places it’s over $6/gallon. Diesel’s average price has now reached a record high of $6.50/gallon, AAA reports.
There was a time when diesel used to be cheaper than regular gasoline. But that was over 20 years ago.
While fuel prices affect everyone, diesel has a particular impact on prices. High diesel prices can impact inflation because businesses heavily rely on diesel for freight, construction, agriculture, and industry.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are three primary reasons for diesel being more expensive. First is that the overall demand for diesel has increased in the US, Europe, India, and China.
The second reason is diesel’s production shifted to be more environmentally friendly. By creating a lower-sulfur diesel fuel in the US, the production and distribution costs were raised to accommodate the change.
The third reason is that the federal government taxes diesel. For every gallon of diesel, there is a 24 cent tax. That’s six cents higher than the gasoline tax.
The rising cost of diesel will ultimately get passed down to consumers—and guys like @sledhead85 filling up with diesel at Shell.
Motor1 has contacted @sledhead85 via TikTok direct message and comment on the post. This post will be updated if he replies.
