Diesel prices surge to highest national average since 2014

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Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022:

Fuel prices surge to 7-year high

A 5.5-cent gain during the most recent week ending Jan. 24 has the national average for diesel prices at its highest since September 2014, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.

The U.S.’ average for a gallon of on-highway diesel is now $3.78, surpassing the 2021 high of $3.734 set during the week ending Nov. 15. The last time the national average for diesel was higher was the week ending Sept. 15, 2014, when prices stood at $3.801 per gallon.

Prices increased in all regions across the country last week, with the most significant increase being seen in New England, where prices jumped 7.9 cents.

The nation’s most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.824 per gallon, followed by the West Coast less California at $4.11 per gallon.

The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.531 per gallon, followed by Midwest at $3.656 per gallon.

Prices in other regions, according to DOE, are:

  • New England – $3.777
  • Central Atlantic – $3.934
  • Lower Atlantic – $3.686
  • Rocky Mountain – $3.698

ProMiles’ numbers during the same week saw fuel prices increase by 6.1 cents, bringing its national average to $3.612 per gallon.

According to ProMiles’ Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.715 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.435 per gallon.

Predictive cruise now standard on Mack Anthem, Pinnacle models

Mack Trucks announced Tuesday that its Predictive Cruise Control with Econo-Roll is now standard on Mack Anthem and Mack Pinnacle models.

Mack Predictive Cruise combines the Mack mDrive automated manual transmission (AMT) with GPS, monitoring driver speed, engine load and road topography, memorizing those conditions when cruise control is set. The next time the driver travels the same route, Mack Predictive Cruise will communicate to the transmission to ensure the optimal gear for fuel efficiency is chosen.

The company says its system can increase fuel efficiency by up to 1% and does not require a constant GPS connection. After a short connection to GPS, Mack Predictive Cruise recognizes the hill, sends the communication to mDrive, which automatically knows the optimal speed and gear strategy for the upcoming terrain. 

Mack Predictive Cruise constantly monitors speed, engine load, weight and the road gradient in order to select the best gear for the road ahead. When approaching a hill, Predictive Cruise allows slightly more speed. The mDrive AMT then maintains the highest gear possible, remaining in that gear and preventing downshifts if unnecessary to crest the hill. Econo-Roll, which temporarily disengages the driveline before the downhill descent, allows the truck to roll, reducing fuel consumption. 

When traveling downhill, Mack Predictive Cruise maintains vehicle speed, utilizing kinetic energy and softly applying the engine brake. Because the hill is stored in the vehicle’s memory, Predictive Cruise recognizes it and knows when the gradient will even out, allowing the truck to maintain its speed for the next incline.