Managers of heavy- and light-truck fleets have had to spend less money on fuel since the September 11 terrorist attacks, according to the Dept. of Energy (DOE) and American Automobile Assn. (AAA).
According to the DOE’s Energy Information Administration, the national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel has dropped 17.4 cents since September 17, the first report issued after the attacks on New York and Washington.
The average price for a gallon of diesel as of October 15 was $1.353. It was $1.527 on September 17, and $1.497 a day before the attacks.
AAA's online, daily Fuel Gauge Report shows the nationwide average price of gasoline is $1.346 per gallon, down 20.6 cents since mid-September when the average price was $1.552 per gallon. According to AAA’s figures, based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the national price of self-serve, mid-grade averages $1.429 per gallon, a decline of 21.8 cents from last month, and down 19.9 cents from last year. Self-serve premium averages $1.479 per gallon, down 22.8 cents since mid-September, and 20.8 cents lower than one year ago.
Lower fuel prices are mainly due to reduced demand for all petroleum products since the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, and because the crude oil price recently stabilized near $22 per barrel, AAA said.