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Hovering Gasoline Costs Squeeze China’s Frugal Truckers
Many long-haul truckers in China have a decent price range and dwell frugally on the street, sleeping and cooking of their automobiles. Now, the ache on the pump is forcing some drivers to rethink their lives.
Truck drivers in China have been nervously watching diesel costs as they hold climbing. For the reason that warfare in Iran began, gasoline costs have jumped round 26 p.c, hitting about $4.60 per gallon. So drivers have been scrambling to refill, particularly China’s 38 million long-haul truckers. A lot of them have a decent price range and dwell frugally on the street. Now the ache on the pump is forcing some drivers to rethink their lives. Zhuang Wenxi has been driving this truck for over 5 years, delivering all the things from contemporary greens to heavy industrial equipment. The lifetime of a long-haul trucker may be grueling. Zhuang stated he spends about 18 hours a day driving, Earlier than turning into a trucker, he was a road vendor promoting fruit and veggies. Zhuang stated the profession change was an excellent transfer within the early years. However getting a giant paying supply gig has grow to be more durable because the business moved to truck-hailing apps, the place shippers set the freight charge and the supply time. Zhuang stated he was paid about $1,700 for a latest supply that took every week. However as an impartial contractor, he covers his personal bills, together with gasoline, upkeep and insurance coverage. So as a way to ship dwelling as a lot cash as doable, he trims different prices on the street. So Zhuang transformed the again seat right into a sleeping space with blankets. This protects him about $14 an evening on a lodge room. He additionally turned the cabin right into a kitchen to cook dinner his personal meals. He has a customized water tank for laundry himself, the dishes and garments. Tolls on the expressway are one of many largest bills for truckers. Zhuang stated, relying on the route, he spends anyplace from $500 to greater than $1,400 a month on tolls. So he typically takes the smaller again roads. Now with the surge in gasoline costs, it prices Zhuang greater than $580 to fill the tank, rapidly shrinking his take-home pay. He stated a few of his mates are enthusiastic about quitting the business.
Many long-haul truckers in China have a decent price range and dwell frugally on the street, sleeping and cooking of their automobiles. Now, the ache on the pump is forcing some drivers to rethink their lives.
By Jiawei Wang and Yasu Tsuji
April 10, 2026
