Drivers hoping that a diesel engine will save them some money have been sorely disappointed lately, especially truck drivers.
The price of diesel is far outpacing the cost of regular gasoline.
“Well put it this way, to fill up my truck you're looking at over $1,000,” says independent trucker Lee Ingratta.
Ingratta is an independent trucker who spends most of his time hauling loads to and from the US.
“Fuel is a heck of a lot cheaper over there,” he says. “It's about $100 cheaper to fill up my truck in the states than it is here.”
The average price of diesel in the states hovers at around 10 cents a litre cheaper than in Canada, where over the last five years the price has climbed by as much as 50 cents a litre.
“It's becoming a real challenge. You’re squeezed tighter and tighter,” says Darcy Hammond, owner of Muskoka Transport.
Hammond says he can only buy fuel in Canada, and with 175 trucks to fuel up he says it's a struggle.
“We get about 150,000 litres of fuel a week delivered to us, so paying a penny or two makes a real big difference,” says Hammond.
Hammond’s family has been in the trucking industry for more than 60 years. He says the latest spike in diesel fuel that has lasted more than six months is tough to explain. But suppliers always have an excuse.
“There will be a fire at a big refinery or perhaps a skirmish in the Middle East somewhere and the crude supply gets tightened up. You think you can predict it, but you can't predict it,” Hammond says.
Trucker Marc Soos says he's glad he doesn't have to try and predict it. Soos has been a driver for companies for 20 years, so there are no fuel headaches for him.
“It's easier for me. I don't have to pay the fuel tax. It's a company truck and the owner does all the work and I just collect a paycheque,” he says.
The demand for diesel just keeps going up. Diesel-powered cars consistently get better mileage than gasoline-powered vehicles and consumers are always looking for savings, even a small one.
Volkswagen and Audi both produce diesel cars and although no one was available for an on-camera interview, dealers told CTV News that as the cost of fuel prices rise, the demand for diesel-fueled vehicles rises too.