Fuel News

LAS VEGAS — Leading heavy-duty truck components manufacturers said technology exists today to build a safer, environmentally friendly and low-cost heavy-duty “world truck,” but major obstacles are consumer acceptance and the lack of a single global standard for emissions and safety technology.

FedEx Corp. said Wednesday it completed its previously announced acquisition of Indian firm Prakash Air Freight Pvt. Ltd. Terms were not disclosed.

The Surface Transportation Board ruled that freight railroads not calculate their fuel surcharges as a percentage of their base rates.

Crude oil futures posted their biggest one-day gain Tuesday since September 2005, rising on forecasts of continuing cold weather and expectations of a stronger U.S. economy, Bloomberg reported.

The average retail price of diesel fuel fell 1.7 cents to $2.413 a gallon, the Energy Department reported Monday.

The maintenance managers of two vehicle leasing companies expect few problems in their shops as the truck-operating industry shifts to the next generation of lower-emission diesel engines.

President Bush outlined an energy plan Tuesday that would boost the use of alternate fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, and would seek a 20% reduction in gasoline use in the next 10 years, news services reported.

Crude oil prices surged more than $2 a barrel Tuesday after Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said President Bush plans to double the size of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve by 2027, Bloomberg reported.

The average price of retail diesel fuel fell 3.3 cents to $2.43 a gallon, the Department of Energy said Monday.

WASHINGTON — Volvo AB and Mack Trucks Inc. last week unveiled a hybrid prototype of a heavy-duty Mack construction truck and company officials said their diesel-electric power supply will cut fuel costs 30% for stop-and-go trucks and buses while running much cleaner.