Fuel Costs Make Consumption Control Key for Carriers

International disruptions are driving up fuel prices in Mexico, making constant monitoring an essential tool to avoid overcosts due to inefficient routes. Seeking efficiency has become the staple to face global disruptions, such as the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has driven up oil prices to over US$100/b.
Diesel prices in Mexico remained near MX$28/L at the end of March and into early April 2026, with some regional variations approaching MX$30/L, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). 

International energy market volatility and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have influenced these costs, leading global oil prices to exceed US$100/b. Because fuel is a primary expense for transport companies, prolonged high fuel prices affect operational profitability.

María de los Ángeles Useche, Commercial Director, Total Protect, states that identifying inconsistencies in consumption is a major challenge for the industry. She told MBN that the problem is not always identified as overt theft, but rather as operational deviations such as discrepancies between fuel loaded and consumed, performance variations between similar units, or unregistered fuel loads and discharges.

 Losses often manifest as subtle variations in daily usage that accumulate into high financial impacts. These discrepancies frequently appear as differences between the volume loaded and the volume consumed, atypical increases in fuel use per route, or unjustified stops.

 According to the National Chamber of Freight Transport (CANACAR), diesel can represent more than 50% of the transportation sector’s operational costs, making even slight variations critical to companies’ bottom line. “These are small daily variations that may go unnoticed but, when accumulated, represent significant losses for the operation,” she added.

In response to these challenges, Useche stresses the importance of intelligent monitoring and telemetry solutions to provide real-time visibility into fuel consumption. These tools allow operators to analyze unit performance and identify deviations from established patterns. Without real-time data, companies often rely on manual records or isolated reports, which complicates the validation of individual unit activity and forces decisions based on estimates. Rather than focusing on an isolated percentage, the industry is migrating toward a visibility-driven approach where the timely detection of these variations allows for reduced losses and improved operational efficiency.

SENER and CRE have identified energy consumption tracking as a determining factor for improving efficiency and reducing costs in the transport sector. Beyond detecting potential irregularities, telemetry allows companies to adjust routes and improve driving habits.

 
While businesses cannot influence international market conditions, the adoption of monitoring technology is utilized as a strategy to manage resources and maintain operational control during periods of high fuel costs. “Through telemetry and intelligent monitoring solutions, it is possible to record fuel consumption, analyze the performance of each unit, and detect variations outside the normal pattern. These types of tools not only allow for the detection of irregularities but also improve operational efficiency and strengthen safety protocols within the operation,” reads Total Protect’s website.

According to Total Project, fleets utilizing data-driven decision-making are achieving fuel savings of up to 15% while tangibly reducing their carbon footprint. By combining 24/7 monitoring, telemetry, and analytics, the company helps operators optimize consumption and meet ESG goals. “Sustainability is not achieved only with new units, but with intelligence behind the wheel,” stated Useche. 

Adopting EURO VI to Optimize Heavy Freight Transport
As diesel prices fluctuate, the adoption of EURO VI emissions standards is emerging as a priority for Mexico’s heavy freight sector. Ernesto del Blanco, President of the Board, ELAM-FAW, notes that while Mexico possesses a fleet of over one million active units, nearly 60% are more than 20 years old. Transitioning to EURO VI technology can reduce pollutant emissions, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, by up to 95% compared to older standards.

Beyond environmental benefits, EURO VI engines offer several economic advantages, including achieving between 5% and 10% reductions in fuel consumption. However, widespread implementation faces infrastructure challenges, including the consistent supply of Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD 15 ppm) and AdBlue required for these advanced systems. 

Integrating these cleaner units allows Mexican firms to align with ESG criteria and remain competitive in international logistics chains. “The urea additive or AdBlue required for SCR systems must be accessible with sufficient logistics so carriers do not face unexpected stops, added costs, or even engine damage from using low-quality products,” del Blanco adds.