One of the main costs in the trucking industry is fuel. In recent years, truckers have been forced to add a fuel surcharge on top of the regular shipping costs to make up the increasing cost of fuel. Those looking for trucking tips know that reducing the cost or even completely eliminating this fuel surcharge can help to attract and retain more business. Even here at Refrigerated Food Express we have contributed a special type of technology on a portion of our trucks that acts as a side skirt which is capable of reducing fuel costs of up to 7%.

1. TRUCKING INDUSTRY AIMS TO IMPROVE USE OF FUELS
One of the main costs in the trucking industry is fuel. In recent years, truckers have been forced to add a
fuel surcharge on top of the regular shipping costs to make up the increasing cost of fuel. Those looking
for trucking tips know that reducing the cost or even completely eliminating this fuel surcharge can help
to attract and retain more business. Even here at Refrigerated Food Express we have contributed a
special type of technology on a portion of our trucks that acts as a side skirt which is capable of reducing
fuel costs of up to 7%.
Rising Cost of Fuel
Generally speaking, commercial transport trucks use diesel as their fuel. However, the cost of diesel is
ever increasing. The government has reported that the average price of diesel is now at $4.085/gallon
(as of April 23, 2012). A staggering 63% of that price is a direct reflection of the price of crude oil.
Currently, California has the highest cost of diesel coming in at $4.384/gallon1.
Crude Oil Production
Torque News has reported:
“For every hundred barrels of crude oil produced or imported into the U.S., about 8 go towards
commercial transportation. Diesel fuel equals roughly 10% of each barrel of oil refined and most of that
(roughly 80%) is used for commercial transport of one kind or another. One of the largest chunks of that
use is in the trucking industry.”

2. Green Technologies
Eco-friendly technologies have been increasing in popularity worldwide as people have begun to realize
that our planet’s natural resources must be protected for future generations. The commercial trucking
industry has received many trucking tips that suggest that emerging green technologies are the way of
the future and may even make their company stand out against competitors. Often, this preference for
green technologies may be helped along by the decreased cost. Decreasing trucking fuel consumption is
the only way to attract more customers by reducing prices.
Fuel Surcharges
Fuel surcharges have been in place since the huge price increase in fuel in the 1980’s and 90’s. During
that time, the fuel price rose dramatically and extremely quickly. This huge, sudden increase in costs
caused many commercial trucking companies to fold. That left many drivers looking for trucking tips on
how to still make a living trucking with new price realities of fuel. The fuel surcharge was born to make
trucking a viable business. Many complain customers complain about the added on costs of fuel and
think that this is done in a greedy maneuver to drive profits. However, the reality is that these added on
costs are merely a pass through, not a money grab.
Natural Gas
Luckily, those looking for trucking tips to decrease trucking fuel consumption don’t have far to look.
Many truck manufacturers have already been working on solutions including a natural gas alternative.
Natural gas costs approximately $1.50/gallon less than diesel making the price much more affordable.
The top manufacturer of US trucks, Paccar which makes Peterbilt and Kenworth, has taken these
trucking tips to heart. They already have a few models of natural gas models available.
Other Options
Some of the other options to decrease trucking fuel consumption and the related costs include
hydrogen fuel cells, biofuel/biodiesel, battery electrics and hybridization. Some of the world’s biggest
manufacturers have been listening to trucking tips and providing the solutions. The years to come
should offer an ever-increasing variety of alternates to diesel as the main fuel used for commercial
trucking companies.

3. The world of commercial trucking is changing for the better by decreasing trucking fuel consumption
rates to make shipping more cost effective, attractive and eco-friendly. Those looking for trucking tips to
reduce their costs need to look no further than decreasing their fuel consumption.
Citations
EIA – Independent Statistics and Analysis, U.S. Energy Information Administration.“Gasoline and Diesel
Fuel Update”. Release Date April 23, 2012. http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/
Aaron Turpen. “Trucking Industry to End Reliance on Crude”. Torque News, April 16, 2012.
http://www.torquenews.com/1080/trucking-industry-moving-end-reliance-crude
Posted on April 30th, 2012 in Trucking Tips