Why does diesel fuel cost an average of fifty cents per gallon more than gasoline? Since there is a lot more diesel fuel obtained from a barrel of oil, and at far lower cost than gasoline, why should it cost fifty or even sixty cents more per gallon? We use two Mercedes diesels, both 1985 years. One is a 300 turbo, five cylinder with 284,000 miles on it, weighing 4500 pounds, and it still runs perfectly and uses no oil. The other is a 190, four cylinder which we use around town, mostly. On a trip to and from Salt Lake City last weekend, and running at an average of 80 miles per hour mostly, with slightly less part of the time, plus lots of running around in Salt Lake, the 300 got 26 miles per gallon. The 190 gets in the 30’s per gallon around town. Economical? Yes, because diesels outlast gas engines by two or three times, plus never require tune ups, etc. But at 50 cents per gallon more, are they still economical? Yes, but it is an outrage. These fine long lasting cars are around cheap. Check out E-Bay. You won’t be sorry to own one.
Think about who uses diesel. It is hundreds of thousands of tractor-trailer big rigs, which deliver just about everything we eat and use, plus thousands of diesel-electric locomotives which haul the rest. This doesn’t include the millions of diesel farm tractors and other farm machinery which also uses diesel. Just imagine how much is added to each gallon of milk, stalk of celery, board foot of lumber, or ream of paper in your computer printer, thanks to this diesel outrage. I bought my first brand new Mercedes diesel in 1962 for $3700, and then diesel was far cheaper than gasoline, as it should be today. (Drove if over 200,000 miles, and that was real economy). What have the boobnicks in D.C. done of late, which is of real value and use to their constituency? Not much, and certainly they haven’t gotten to the bottom of the oil companies ripping off of everyone. Yes, everyone. Because everyone is suffering mightily from the outrageous prices of diesel fuel. For every fiat dollar you spend in any store, at any time, for any product, the outrageous prices of diesel fuel effect the price you pay for that item…bar none. Hey there, Mr. Congressman…wake up! If you are so smart and influential as you tell everyone, why not stop the oil companies from ripping us all off with outrageous diesel fuel prices, which are so much of a blatant theft and obvious fraud, that no wonder the stock dividends and prices of the oil companies are so high. Are you guys in their pockets? Have Shell and Exxon bribed you so much that you won’t investigate? And people wonder why I call you idiots the “D.C. Gang.”