There’s an ample supply of gasoline being produced, so why are experts warning of a potential shortage at the pump?
Unfortunately for quarantined Americans looking to hit the road this summer, a problem that’s been brewing for a long time could mean crimped fuel supplies.
According to a report in CNN, the threat is the result of a significant shortage of fuel truck drivers.
The National Tank Truck Carriers trade group says up to a quarter of tank trucks are sitting idle due to a lack of drivers.
The group says the pandemic made an existing problem worse, when gasoline prices crashed and workers left the industry.
Meanwhile, trucker schools shut down, depriving potential talent of required training.
CNN says an online database also went live in 2020, identifying truck drivers with prior alcohol or drug issues, knocking up to 60,000 drivers out of the employment pool.
Tanker truck work is described as “strenuous” and the average yearly turnover rate is 50%.
