Soaring Fuel Prices Squeeze China’s Frugal Truckers

Truck drivers in China are watching rising diesel prices with concern. Fuel prices have increased nearly 26 percent since the start of the war in Iran, reaching about $4.60 per gallon. So drivers, especially China’s 38 million long-haul truck drivers, are scrambling to fill up. Many are on a tight budget and live frugally on the road. Now the pain at the pump is forcing some drivers to rethink their lives. Zhuang Wenxi has been using this truck for over five years, delivering everything from fresh vegetables to heavy industrial machinery. The life of a long-haul truck driver can be grueling. Zhuang said he spends about 18 hours a day driving. Before becoming a truck driver, he was a street vendor selling fruits and vegetables. Zhuang said the career change was a good move in the early years. However, as the industry switched to truck filling practices where carriers set the freight rate and delivery time, it became difficult to get large-paying delivery business. Zhuang said he was paid about $1,700 for the final delivery, which took a week. But as an independent contractor, he covers his own expenses, including fuel, maintenance and insurance. So he cuts other expenses down the road to send as much money home as possible. So Zhuang turned the back seat into a sleeping area with blankets. This earns him about $14 a night for a hotel room. He also converted the cottage into a kitchen to cook his own meals. He has a special water tank for washing himself, his dishes and his clothes. Highway tolls are one of truckers’ biggest expenses. Zhuang said he spends anywhere from $500 to $1,400 a month on tolls, depending on the route. That’s why he often uses smaller back roads. Now, with the rise in fuel prices, it costs Zhuang more than $580 to fill up and his take-home pay is dwindling rapidly. He said some of his friends were considering leaving the industry.