EIA’s Pump Diagrams: Factors Affecting Retail Prices for Gasoline or Diesel Fuel

July 23, 2008 -As prices for transportation fuels continue to rise, interest has increased in EIA’s fuel pump diagrams showing the components of retail gasoline and distillate prices that help to explain the price changes. The fuel pump graphics that are featured on our Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update Page break the retail price of a gallon of fuel (gasoline or diesel) into four cost components: Crude Oil, Refining, Distribution and Marketing, and Taxes.

The Crude Oil component reflects the cost of crude oil purchased by refiners. To calculate this component, we divide the cost of crude oil to refiners (using the Composite Refiners Acquisition Cost) by the average retail price of regular gasoline, making sure, of course, that the cost of oil and the price of gasoline are both expressed in terms of the same units. Due to rapid increases in the price of crude oil this year, the Crude Oil component has increased to a relatively large portion of the overall price of a gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel.....more (this link will take you to the Energy Information Administration website)

Ontario to limit truck speed - McGuinty Government Makes Speed Limiters Mandatory In Ontario

TORONTO, June 16 - The Ontario legislature today passed a bill mandating speed limiter use on most large trucks to cap speeds at 105 kilometers per hour to reduce pollution and improve road safety. A speed limiter is an electronic device that caps the top speed of a vehicle. Speed limiters are proven to lower maintenance costs and improve fuel economy. In Ontario, transportation accounts for more than 30 per cent of the province's total greenhouse gas emissions. As part of Ontario's plan to fight climate change, speed limiters will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of speed limiters could be implemented as early as fall 2008, followed by a six to 12 month education period...more

Smartway Truck Efficiency Regulation

June 3, 2008 - The California Air Resources Board is in the process of developing a regulation (Smartway Truck Efficiency Regulation) which will require long-haul tractors and box-type trailers to be equipped with technologies that reduce aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance to help improve transportation efficiency within our state. This measure will impact those who are involved in the transportation of freight within (or into and out of) California including motor carriers, truck owner/operators, shippers, consignees, and brokers. Please note that there are  recently posted draft regulations on their website, as well as a schedule of public workshops (see links below) which begin this week. All those who will be affected by this regulation are encouraged to join the email list and also to attend one of the workshops. Participation in the workshops will provide all affected parties with the opportunity to have input into the development of these regulations.

The draft regulations are now available on our website at the following link: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/smartway/meetings/SWReg52108vers.pdf

The current workshop schedule (subject to change) can be found at the following link: http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/smartway/meetings/meetings.htm

Also, to join our email list, please visit the following webpage: http://www.arb.ca.gov/listserv/smartway.htm

If you have any questions about the Smartway Truck Efficiency Regulation, please contact Daniel Hawelti at (626) 450-6149 or dhawelti@arb.ca.gov .