Heads up — the big oil boys are planning to pump more in 2026. Want to know what that means for your fuel bill?
Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP and TotalEnergies are eyeing a roughly 4.7% jump in output next year, aiming to cash in on a likely oil price uptick in the back half of 2026. Translation: they’re positioning supply to match a price swing, not necessarily to give us cheaper gas tomorrow. ⛽️💰
Here’s the trucker take — short and simple:
- 🛢 More crude = potential for steadier diesel supply, which is good if refineries follow through. But don’t expect a sudden drop at the pump — these moves often time with higher prices.
- 📈 If prices slide a bit from increased supply early in the year, your operating costs could ease and that might nudge carriers to be more competitive on lanes. If they hold supply until prices rise, diesel could stay high and squeeze margins.
- 🚚 Freight rates aren’t tied to oil alone. Even with cheaper fuel, demand, tender rejections, and capacity matter. Still, lower fuel costs would help owner-ops and smaller carriers the most.
- 🧾 Plan for volatility — build a buffer into bids and talk with your dispatcher about fuel surcharges and route choices.
Bottom line: this boost in output could stabilize supply, but big producers are timing it to profit from a price uptick — so don’t bank on cheap diesel just yet. Keep an eye on diesel futures and your local pump prices as 2026 approaches. 📅🔍
Share your take — seen any price moves on your routes lately?
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