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Fuel is a major driver of your overall sales. Diesel car and SUV registrations are on the rise, and in 2023 U.S. drivers are expected to use 17.1 percent more diesel fuel than in 2012 while gasoline consumption decreases, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Low fuel prices have been a major story for several months now. But if history is a guide, prices will eventually rise to their previous levels and higher, and the cost to fill up will again be a major concern among drivers.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit with Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst for the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), to talk about the trends he’s expecting in the fuel industry in 2015 and what the impact will be on fuel retailers.

In my previous blog post I shared some insight on OEM support for biodiesel. OEMs are required to meet increasing fuel economy and efficiency standards. It seems that every time there is a new wave of regulations, the OEMs need to further improve their products and tighten tolerances, which then, in turn, requires the biodiesel industry to follow in kind and make sure that our fuel will work within those tighter tolerances and new diesel technology systems.

The auto manufacturing industry puts a lot of time, effort and money into guaranteeing their product. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that the biodiesel industry provide the utmost quality fuel to be used in these engines. The biodiesel industry works closely with the on-road and off-road OEM community fostering support for biodiesel. To date, all major OEMs selling diesel vehicles and equipment in the U.S. support the use of at least B5 biodiesel blends. More importantly, 78 percent of the OEMs support B20 biodiesel blends in their vehicles and equipment.

When properly managed, high-quality biodiesel blended fuels are successful in the coldest of climates. Blends of 5 percent and below have virtually no impact on cold weather operability. But, just like No. 2 petroleum diesel, biodiesel can gel in very cold temperatures.

From BMW to Chevy, auto manufacturers have unveiled a number of diesel-powered models in 2014; this trend is expected to continue over the next decade.

Projections for the future of fuels are pointing squarely at diesel. According to the Energy Information Association (EIA), they forecast that drivers will consume 17.1 percent more diesel fuel by 2023, and 26 percent more by 2040.

From luxury sedans to light-duty trucks, automobile manufacturers are turning to diesel to provide more fuel-efficient options for drivers. This influx in diesel-powered cars, trucks and SUVs means that truckstops and travel plazas need to be ready to answer the growing demand for more diverse fuel options.

Accessibility to quality biodiesel at each level of the supply chain — producer to the retailer — has become simpler in recent years. With more high-production biorefineries and improved logistics, biodiesel producers can more readily provide product to distributors and retailers, including truckstops and travel plazas.

Making the jump to selling biodiesel can be a significant decision for truckstop and travel plaza owners. Each location needs to determine what will work best for each location and how they can maximize their profitability through the use of biodiesel. While there are a number of considerations to examine, determining the ideal blend level should the focal point.

Garvin Oil began in 1957 in Wagner, S.C. as a small family-owned petroleum jobber. As more family members took a stake in the fuel company, the Kent’s Korner brand was established to serve the convenience store market. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Kent’s Korner brand grew. Store numbers doubled and the business is now made up of 21 stores — 19 convenience stores and two travel centers.