As diesel prices hit record highs, there are talks in the nation’s capital on how to cut costs. Some Republicans are urging President Donald Trump to temporarily limit diesel exports to other countries, but some experts warn the move could raise the cost for gas that most drivers use.

Only a small percentage of passenger cars on U.S. roadways use diesel, but nearly 100% of tractor trailers and 3 out of 4 commercial trucks need it to get around. 

Farming equipment also relies heavily on diesel. So, as diesel costs have risen amid the U.S. war with Iran and with the war between Ukraine and Russia ongoing, some Republicans have started calling on President Trump to suspend diesel exports.

Those calls grew louder among members of the GOP when the price for a gallon of diesel hit a record $6.53 Tuesday. Last year, the price for a gallon of diesel was almost half that at $3.69.

“Diesel is way too high. Way too high. We need to bring that down as quickly as possible,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has reportedly been in contact with U.S. refineries to gauge voluntary support for a possible ban on diesel exports. That’s despite opposition from various groups and experts.

More than three dozen organizations from the energy sector and groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote to President Trump Wednesday saying: “Export bans would lead to less fuel production, tighter supplies and rising costs for American families, farmers and truckers.”

“If that is escalating, that's eventually going to filter into other prices,” Penn State University economics professor Lonnie Golden told Spectrum News. “It's going to make transportation and shipping generally a little bit more expensive.”

Gas Buddy’s head of petroleum analysis warns if “diesel exports get banned, prices [for regular gas] could rise toward record levels.”

Some states have taken their own steps to lower the cost of regular gas and diesel by suspending collection of certain taxes. Lawmakers in both Ohio and Massachusetts are considering proposals to do just that.