OPIS Energy Analysis Global Head Tom Kloza says that a truck driver shortage throughout the U.S has the potential to threaten the gas industry. Kloza says that the lack of drivers may cause gas stations to “scramble” to meet supply demand.
According to AAA, drivers are paying around $2.88 per gallon for gas, however, prices could further increase throughout the summer if the truck driver shortage continues nationwide.
The OPIS analyst’s comments come on the heels of Florida experiencing gas shortages during spring break this year when retailers struggled to get trucks to deliver gasoline from the terminals to stations. Kloza is “worried” that the shortage could potentially linger nationwide until Labor Day.
The trucking industry attributes some of the shortage to the amount of time it takes to obtain a commercial driver’s license. While this has been ongoing over the past few years, the coronavirus pandemic only prolonged the delays, with some licenses even taking up to six months to acquire.
Furthermore, the industry predicts the lack of drivers will only get worse as more retire.
Keep reading at Fox Business for more on this story.
I’m lost here. How does the lack of truck drivers create a “gas shortage”? It would seem to be just the opposite.
Well speeder go hop in a gas truck hook it to a gas tanker and go load and deliver to a customer. See how that works out!
I’m afraid that doesn’t address the question. We aren’t talking specifically here about “gas trucks”. Unless I miss the point the article is talking about ALL trucking companies experiencing shortage of drivers.