Why is diesel cheaper than gasoline?
2 Answers
By ton, gasoline is more expensive, while by liter, diesel is more expensive because diesel has a higher specific gravity than gasoline. The main reasons why diesel is cheaper than gasoline are as follows: 1. Diesel contains more harmful components: The most important use of diesel is for diesel engines in vehicles and ships. Compared to gasoline, diesel has a higher energy density and lower fuel consumption rate, but the exhaust contains more harmful components (NO, particulate matter, etc.). Diesel is a light petroleum product, a mixture of complex hydrocarbons (with carbon atoms numbering about 10~22). It serves as fuel for diesel engines. It is mainly blended from diesel fractions produced through processes such as crude oil distillation, catalytic cracking, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, and petroleum coking; it can also be obtained from shale oil processing and coal liquefaction. 2. Gasoline evaporates faster: Gasoline evaporates faster than diesel, so gasoline can enter the cylinder in a mixed gas state during the intake stroke, while diesel does not evaporate easily and cannot form a mixed gas easily, so it can only be directly injected into the cylinder before the power stroke begins.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I believe diesel is cheaper than gasoline mainly due to two reasons. From a production standpoint, the process of refining crude oil into diesel is more direct and efficient, with a higher yield rate, naturally lowering costs. For example, when refineries distill crude oil, diesel production exceeds gasoline, reducing waste. Tax policies also play a crucial role. Many countries impose significantly lower taxes on diesel to ease the burden on freight drivers and agricultural machinery, which drives down retail prices. Additionally, in terms of market supply and demand, diesel is primarily used in trucks and buses, where demand is high but competition is fierce, keeping prices low. I've also noticed that while diesel engines are noisier, they are more fuel-efficient and cost-effective in the long run, saving a considerable amount of money. These factors combined make diesel prices much more affordable. Don't assume cheaper means lower quality—it's simply a result of economic adjustments, and choosing the right vehicle model is key.
