Current Fuel (Gasoline and Diesel Fuel) Costs in Mexico
Gasoline and diesel prices in Mexico went up substantially in January 2010 after being stable for 2009. The federal tax, IVA, went up 1 percent, which accounts for part of the increase. So far this year (July 2010), prices are increasing a bit each month again. Overall, the cost of gasoline is less than in many states in the USA. Diesel costs less in Mexico than in the USA.
Fuel costs (unleaded gasoline, UBA, diesel or low-sulfur diesel) in Mexico are still less than in the USA. Gas and diesel fuel prices are quoted in US and Canadian dollars.
For fuel costs in Mexico, see the Mexican fuel price page.
There is only unleaded gasoline (Magna - regular and Premium UBA - super gasoline) in Mexico today. Magna is 87 octane. Premium gas is not only higher octane (91) but lower in sulfur (15 ppm).
I have not gotten a straight story from Pemex or from the few gas station owners I know. But a reliable source in Mexico City to me that there is ultra low sulfur diesel (DUBA-- 15 ppm) and low sulfur Mexican diesel fuel (LSD [seriously]-- 30 ppm, depending on what state you are in. But all diesel is called low sulphur - you won't see anyone touting Diesel Ultra Bajo Azufre.
In January, 2010 ultra low-sulfur diesel (DUBA) was introduced that has only 15 ppm of sulphur And it has 5% biodiesel so it has more lubricity. And we all know that is a good thing. It was introduced to 50% of the Pemex stations in central Mexico (Mexico City, Morelos, Puebla, Mexico and others). Supposedly it is being slowly introduced to a few stations in the rest of the country. Look for the sign, "bajo azufre" below the word "Diesel" on the gas station signage. But I have to be honest with you - I would not count on finding it this year.
I do not drive a diesel vehicle, but have read blogs by those who do who say that they have driven a couple of thousand miles on the "regular" diesel in their newer RV's requiring ultra low sulfur diesel with no ill consequences. However, the site fueleconomy.org says that LSD will make your engine hallucinate. At least they sternly say not to just say no if you have a 2007 or later vehicle.
Baja has low sulfur diesel (not everywhere, though). Talk to a competent diesel mechanic about the effects of using fuel with higher sulphur content on your engine before deciding to drive a newer (2007 and up) diesel vehicle to Mexico.
It it a waste of money to buy Premium gasoline in Mexico if your vehicle uses regular gas in the USA.
For monthly updated gasoline and diesel prices in Mexico, see the Mexican fuel price page.
I've seen some RV bloggers suggest you drive over the Mexican border to fill up with diesel. Driving across the Mexican border just to fill up and driving back to the States is false economy, since you must have Mexican RV or auto insurance and will have to wait an hour or more in line at the Mexican border. Plus you need a passport to reenter the USA.
However, both gasoline and diesel costs vary by regions of Mexico. This is a little-known (as heard on the TV show Cheers) fact and likely to lead to different people swearing that the cost of gas or diesel is different than someone else. Heck, I used to think the price was the same all over Mexico except for the border area and Mexico City. The Mexican gas and diesel prices on the next page are based on the cost of unleaded and high octane gasoline and diesel in the majority of Mexico.
In the Northern border regions of Mexico (Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Sonora) fuel costs more than in the interior of Mexico. The southern border, Chetumal, Q. Roo seems to be the least expensive. Metropolitan areas like Mexico City, Cuatla, Cuernavaca, Iguala, Pachuca, Queretaro, Toluca, Tula and the whole Valley of Mexico have the second-least expensive fuel costs in Mexico. To further complicate the cost of fuel situation, states with a 10% tax (Sonora, Baja California, Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo) have a slightly different pricing structure.
For fuel costs in Mexico, see the Mexican fuel price page.