Diesel Fuel Prices Exceed Gasoline Since 2004

Why it matters locally: Maryland's transportation sector, including commercial trucking and public transit, will likely face increased operational costs due to the sustained higher prices of diesel fuel. This could influence consumer prices for goods transported into and within the state.

Diesel fuel has consistently been more expensive than regular gasoline since 2004, with only occasional exceptions. This pricing trend marks a change from earlier periods when diesel typically cost less. Three primary factors account for this reversal: evolving air quality standards, shifts in market demand, and adjustments to taxation policies. Before 2004, diesel prices often fell below those of gasoline. The subsequent policy and market changes altered this long-standing relationship.