Average Fuel and Oil Costs Forecast to be Lower in 2014
Expect the cost of on-highway diesel to average $3.81 per gallon this year, 11 cents less than 2013’s average price. The new monthly U.S. Energy Department Short-Term Energy Outlook is calling for the price to be even less in 2015, averaging $3.72 per gallon.


Expect the cost of on-highway diesel to average $3.81 per gallon this year, 11 cents less than 2013’s average price. The new monthly U.S. Energy Department Short-Term Energy Outlook is calling for the price to be even less in 2015, averaging $3.72 per gallon.
Regular grade gasoline prices are also projected to move lower, averaging $3.46 per gallon this year, after averaging $3.51 last year and $3.63 in 2012.
The reason is oil prices are projected to move lower, with West Texas Intermediate Crude expected to average $93 per barrel this year, after averaging close to $98 dollars last year, then falling below $90 in 2015. Prices for North Sea Brent Crude are also expected to move lower.
The decline in diesel prices is also expected to come as demand for U.S. diesel exports is expected to grow stronger, but increasing oil production domestically and abroad should help avoid any price hikes.
U.S. crude production is forecast to average 7.5 million barrels per day in 2014, an increase of 1 million barrels per day from 2013. It’s expected to move even higher in 2015, hitting 9.3 million barrels per day, which would make the highest annual production level since 1972.
Also non-member countries of the OPEC oil cartel are forecast to increase their oil production to a record high of 1.9 million barrels per day in 2014, while OPEC member nations are expected to reduce production slightly. The end result should be an increased surplus of crude on a worldwide basis.
The one energy price increase that is expected is in the area of natural gas, which is projected to increase from an average of $3.73 “Henry Hub” per million British thermal units last year, to $3.89 this year and $4.11 in 2015. End user prices can vary greatly between different uses. Natural gas is expected to see record U.S. consumption once 2013 final numbers are in, according to DOE.
The full report is available online.
More Fuel Smarts

How Volvo Updated Its D13 for EPA 2027 [Watch]
Volvo’s updated D13 promises lower emissions without sacrificing performance or fuel economy. Take a closer look at what changed inside the engine in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →
Diesel Price Spike Shortens Payback for Natural Gas Trucks, Report Says
Energy Vision estimates fleets could recover the higher purchase price of an RNG-fueled Class 8 tractor in 1.3 to 2.8 years under current fuel-price scenarios.
Read More →
Calstart Becomes Catalyst Mobility, Reflecting Broader Focus
Calstart is now Catalyst Mobility, reflecting the nonprofit’s growing national role in clean transportation, including zero-emission trucks, infrastructure and incentive programs.
Read More →
Record Diesel Prices Squeeze Trucking Fleets
Average U.S. diesel prices have climbed to nearly $6 a gallon, surpassing the 2022 record as tight refinery capacity and Middle East disruptions keep fuel costs elevated.
Read More →
How Fuel Delivery Shapes Engine Performance
Fuel delivery depends on more than what happens at the injector. For fleet, maintenance and technical professionals, looking at the full path from pump to injector can provide useful context for understanding engine performance.
Read More →
East Coast Port Launches $45M Electric Truck Push
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced millions in incentives for zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and new charging hubs near the port.
Read More →
California Bill Could Shed Light on Electric Truck Prices
Why do battery-electric Class 8 trucks remain so expensive? A California bill headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom would give fleets and state agencies more visibility into what manufacturers charge.
Read More →
Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines
Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
Zero-Emission Truck Corridor Planned for West Coast
California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Baja California are coordinating plans for truck charging and hydrogen fueling from Canada to Mexico.
Read More →A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]
Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →

