Do a Google search and you’ll find no shortage of articles predicting the death of retail. In 2016, online shoppers officially became the majority, with 51 percent of Americans saying they made most purchases online. Reports find that 80 million people use Amazon Prime in the U.S. alone, while 19 percent have tried a meal-service program like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh. And PeaPod grocery ordering has said the size of its customers’ baskets are increasing.
Though how we shop has changed, how we get those deliveries hasn’t. Convenience and that feeling of Christmas every day when opening your packages are brought to you by diesel fuel.
Every day, thousands of delivery trucks cross the U.S. are carrying millions of packages for delivery, and no matter where they are going, there is a good chance they are fueled by diesel.
Since the first diesel engine automobile in 1930, companies depend on diesel because it’s efficient, safe and ensures strong performance. In fact, diesel accounts for 21 percent of the U.S. transportation sector.
Beyond trucks, diesel is the go-to fuel for trains, barges, construction and farming equipment, and the U.S. military. And public facilities often rely on diesel-run backup generators as power sources in cases of emergency.
In 2016, the U.S. consumed 60.7 billion gallons of diesel fuel, with roughly two-thirds of that demand coming from on-highway vehicles. And despite that high volume, U.S. fuel manufacturers are able to produce the majority of the diesel Americans consume here at home.
American refiners are proud to fuel the progress inspired by companies with ingenious ways to move products. So, the next time you save yourself a trip to the store or overnight a package to ensure it arrives in the nick of time, remember the role of diesel in making your day just a little easier.
