Diesel to Average $3.87 This Year, DOE Says

Diesel fuel will average $3.87 a gallon this year, the Department of Energy said, raising a previous forecast by 3 cents.

Trucking’s primary fuel averaged $3.97 in 2012, DOE said in its monthly short-term energy forecast released this week.

Gasoline will average $3.44 a gallon this year, the report said, in line with last month’s outlook. Gas averaged $3.63 last year.

In its first projections for 2014, DOE said diesel will average $3.78 and gasoline will average $3.34 per gallon.

The monthly outlook often lags DOE’s weekly price surveys. Its most recent report released Monday showed both fuels dipping less than a penny, with diesel at $3.911 and gasoline at $3.299.

Crude oil, the main component of refined fuels, will average $89.54 per barrel this year, DOE said, raising its previous forecast of $88.38.

Oil averaged $94.12 last year and will average $91 a barrel in 2014, the report said.