SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, WI (WHBL) - While the price at the pump has been going down for gasoline, diesel fuel prices have not gone down as much.
Erin Roth, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Petroleum Council, says diesel fuel follows a different supply and demand model than regular gasoline. While demand for regular unleaded fuel has gone down thanks to more fuel-efficient vehicles and people driving less, diesel fuel demand remains high. "We have more trucks on the road now delivering goods and services as well as the railroads, shipping, all use diesel fuel," said Roth.
Roth also says the overall health of the U.S. and world economies play a role with diesel prices. "As long as the economy chugs along we need to move products, goods, services, via diesel engines in this country," said Roth.
Still, the overall drop in crude oil has allowed diesel fuel to go down about 70-cents over the past year. However, it remains about 90-cents higher than regular unleaded.