Why Is There A Diesel Shortage

Hey, have you been to a gas station lately? I mean, recently recently. If you drive a diesel car—or know someone who does—you’ve probably noticed something weird. There’s a diesel shortage happening, and it’s not just your imagination.

I’m not talking about a run on avocados or something. This is fuel. For trucks. And tractors. And your buddy’s overlanding rig that he spent way too much money on. So, what gives?

Refineries went on vacation. Kind of.

During the pandemic, we all did weird things. Baked sourdough. Watched Tiger King. And oil refineries? They stopped making as much fuel. Why? Because nobody was driving.

Fast forward to now. The world woke up, yawned, and said, “I need to move everything by truck again.” But refineries didn’t just flip a switch. They can’t—it takes months to restart a refinery, and some closed permanently. Oops.

So we’ve got more demand for diesel than supply. It’s like showing up to a potluck where everyone brought chips, but nobody brought the dip. Disappointing.

Wait, why is diesel special?

Here’s the thing: diesel isn’t just for pickup trucks that roll coal. It powers big rigs, trains, farm equipment, and construction machines. Ever try to move a shipping container on a skateboard? Exactly.

Diesel is the backbone of the supply chain. When it’s tight, everything gets tight. Grocery stores, Amazon packages, your new couch—all of it rides on diesel. No pressure, right?

And here’s the kicker: refineries make gasoline and diesel at the same time. They can’t just “make more diesel” without also making a ton of gas. But we need more diesel and less gas right now. Talk about a sticky wicket.

Russia and the ripple effect.

Remember when Russia invaded Ukraine? That sent energy markets into a tizzy. The U.S. doesn’t import much Russian diesel, but Europe did. A lot. Like, a whole lot.

Now Europe is scrambling to buy diesel from everywhere else—including the U.S. Our exports are going through the roof. But that means less diesel stays home. It’s like selling your last slice of pizza to a hungry neighbor. Feels noble, but now you’re starving.

Global refineries are also struggling. Some in Asia are offline for maintenance. Some in Europe are just old and tired. It’s a perfect storm of “oops, we didn’t plan for this.”

Is it actually a shortage, or just expensive?

Well, it’s both. You can find diesel in most places—if you’re willing to pay for it. Prices are bonkers. I’m talking your wallet will cry, and your credit card will ask for therapy.

But in some regions, stations are running dry. Especially in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest. Farmers in Iowa are staring at empty tanks and wondering if they can run their tractors on pure determination. (Spoiler: they can’t.)

And it’s not just the U.S. Europe is having a worse time. Germany, France, the UK—they’re all feeling the pinch. So if you think waiting in line for gas is annoying, imagine doing it for heating oil in December. Yikes.

So, when will it end?

Short answer: not tomorrow. Analysts say it could last through 2023 and into 2024. The refining capacity is just gone. We need new refineries built, and guess what? Nobody wants to build them. Too expensive, too controversial, too long.

Some hope comes from renewable diesel—made from cooking oil and animal fats. It’s a thing! But it’s still a tiny drop in the bucket. We’re going to need a bigger bucket.

So for now, if you drive a diesel, maybe consider carpooling. Or just buy a bicycle. Or start a support group for diesel owners. I’ll bring the coffee—just don’t ask me to fill up my truck.

What can you actually do?

Honestly? Not much. You can plan ahead if you’re hauling something. Fill up when you see a station with diesel, even if the tank is half full. Hoarding is bad, but a little strategic topping off is survival.

Also, check if you can switch to alternative fuels. Some fleets are using natural gas. Others are praying to the gods of logistics. It’s a wild time.

But here’s the silver lining: this shortage is forcing us to think about how dependent we are on one type of fuel. Maybe we’ll invest in more electric trucks, or better rail, or—gasp—actually work from home more. Stranger things have happened.

Anyway, that’s the diesel drama in a nutshell. Supply and demand had a big fight, and we’re all caught in the crossfire. Keep your tank full, your sense of humor closer, and your wallet heavy. You’re gonna need it.

And hey, if you see a diesel driver crying at the pump? Buy them a latte. They need it more than the fuel.