Fuel-Cost Impact Varies With Size, Type of Carrier

Soaring diesel fuel prices affect every trucking company, but some are feeling the pinch more than others.

Fuel Spending as a Percentage of Revenue (1999)
Fuel Spending as Percent of Revenue
While many publicly owned truckload carriers saw profits dwindle, parcel carriers and less-than-truckload general freight carriers have, for the most part, posted solid gains in revenue and profits.

Why the difference? One reason is that the cost of fuel, oil and lubricants does not affect all trucking companies to the same degree.

TTNews Message Boards
Package and LTL carriers, for instance, spend half as much on fuel (as a percentage of revenue) as truckload carriers. Refrigerated carriers, which need to power trailer refrigeration units in addition to tractors, and some specialized fleets pay well above the industry average.



For the full story, see the Oct. 30 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.