Rajan Wilcox
The United States' diesel consumption is a significant indicator of its energy usage. In 2023, diesel consumption was less than three million barrels per day, while gasoline consumption was about 8.94 million barrels per day. This discrepancy highlights that gasoline is the more popular transportation fuel. However, diesel remains essential, especially for heavy-duty vehicles, due to its higher energy content and ability to prolong engine life. California, a leader in diesel consumption, sold 3.5 billion gallons in 2024, showcasing the continued reliance on this fuel type.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diesel consumption in the U.S. transportation sector in 2023 | Less than 3 million barrels per day |
| Gasoline consumption in the U.S. transportation sector in 2023 | 8.5 million barrels per day |
| Total diesel consumption in the U.S. in 2009 | 35 billion gallons |
| Total diesel consumption in Texas in 2009 | 3.8 billion gallons |
| Total diesel consumption in Hawaii in 2009 | 0.05 billion gallons |
| Total diesel consumption in the U.S. in 2024 | 3.5 billion gallons |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel consumption in the US decreased in 2023
While the United States still consumes a significant amount of diesel fuel, there has been a notable decrease in its consumption in 2023. This downward trend is part of a broader shift away from diesel and towards alternative fuel sources and cleaner vehicles.
In 2023, the US transportation sector, which includes road vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships, consumed less than three million barrels of distillate fuel oil (diesel) per day. This decrease in diesel consumption coincides with an increase in gasoline consumption, which stands at about 8.94 million barrels per day for the same period. The transportation sector is the second-largest energy-consuming sector in the country, and while gasoline is the predominant fuel choice, diesel remains a significant fuel source.
The decline in diesel consumption can be attributed to various factors, including government incentives promoting alternative fuels and increasing adoption of electric vehicles. Additionally, the environmental impact of diesel fuel has come under scrutiny, with diesel contributing to the country's energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
Despite the overall decrease in diesel consumption, certain sectors continue to rely heavily on diesel fuel. For example, nearly all heavy-duty trucks, delivery vehicles, buses, trains, ships, farm equipment, and military vehicles are diesel-powered. Diesel engines offer higher energy efficiency and prolonged engine life, making them the preferred choice for these applications.
As the US continues to strive for energy diversification and emissions reduction, the role of diesel fuel may evolve further. While diesel remains a significant component of the country's energy mix, the focus on reducing consumption and exploring alternative options is shaping the future of diesel fuel consumption in the US.
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Gasoline consumption is three times higher than diesel
In 2023, the United States consumed about 376 million gallons of gasoline per day, or about 8.94 million barrels per day. This figure represents a slight decrease from 2018's record-high level of 392 million gallons per day.
In contrast, diesel consumption in the US amounts to less than three million barrels per day. This means that gasoline consumption is around three times higher than diesel consumption.
The transportation sector, which includes road vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships, is the second-largest energy-consuming sector in the United States. While gasoline is the most popular transportation fuel, diesel is a close second. Diesel fuel is particularly favoured for heavy-duty vehicles due to its higher energy content per gallon compared to gasoline and its ability to prolong engine life.
Despite the prevalence of gasoline and diesel use in the transportation sector, there is a growing trend towards the adoption of biofuels. In 2023, annual biofuel consumption in the US increased to over 1.6 billion gallons. Additionally, the environmental impact of gasoline has come under scrutiny, with its contribution to global carbon emissions from fossil fuels standing at 2.8%.
The shift away from gasoline and diesel towards more sustainable alternatives is gaining momentum. With the development of detailed gasoline consumption data, such as the Gasoline Superusers report, governments can establish ambitious reduction goals and implement data-driven programs to accelerate this transition.
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Diesel is the second-largest transportation fuel in California
California is the second-largest consumer of motor gasoline in the US, after Texas. Transportation accounts for the largest share of the state's energy consumption. Californians travel more miles by vehicle than residents of any other state, and the state's transportation sector accounts for nearly two-fifths of California's total energy consumption.
The transportation sector uses about 85% of the petroleum consumed in California. Diesel fuel is the second-largest transportation fuel used in California, representing 17% of total fuel sales, behind gasoline. In 2024, 3.5 billion gallons of diesel (including off-road diesel) were sold.
Diesel is the fuel of choice for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks, delivery vehicles, buses, trains, ships, boats, and barges, as well as farm, construction, and military equipment. This is because diesel has 12% more energy per gallon than gasoline and has fuel properties that prolong engine life.
California has been working to reduce its reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels. In 2006, ultra-low sulfur diesel was introduced nationally, allowing for near-zero heavy-duty diesel engines. Biodiesel was introduced to California in 2000, and Renewable Diesel in 2012. The state has also been embracing LNG for heavy-duty trucks and electric vehicles, with electric car-sharing fleets launched in San Diego in 2013.
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Texas consumed the most diesel fuel by state in 2009
Texas is a big state, and its size means that getting around it burns a lot of fuel. In 2009, Texas consumed 3.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel, the highest of any state in the US. In fact, Texas is the nation's largest consumer of motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil (including diesel fuel for highway use), and residual fuel oil. Texas's industrial sector, which accounts for more than three-fifths of the state's petroleum use, is the largest consumer of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) in the nation.
Texas's refineries are complex facilities that can process a wide variety of crude oil types into high-value products such as motor gasoline and diesel fuel. The largest US refinery is in Galveston Bay, Texas, and it alone can process about 631,000 barrels of crude oil per calendar day. Texas's refinery infrastructure is vulnerable to shutdowns during hurricane season and extreme winter weather.
Texas has abundant renewable energy resources and is first in the nation in wind-generated electricity. It is also among the leading states in solar energy potential and generation, with significant numbers of sunny days across vast distances. Texas also has geothermal resources suitable for power generation in the eastern and southern parts of the state.
Texas's motor fuels tax collections, however, have begun to fall behind in their ability to meet the rising cost of the transportation projects they support. A 2009 Congressional study found that because the federal gas tax is not adjusted for inflation, it has experienced a cumulative loss in purchasing power since 1993. In 2015, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute reported that the actual purchasing power of the state's gasoline tax, set at 20 cents per gallon in 1991, had fallen to 6.8 cents by 2014 due to inflation.
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Diesel fuel demand in the transportation sector
The transportation sector, encompassing road vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships, is the second-largest energy-consuming sector in the US. In 2023, gasoline consumption in this sector increased, while distillate fuel oil (which can be used as diesel fuel) consumption decreased. Gasoline consumption is almost triple that of diesel, with diesel consumption being less than three million barrels per day.
Diesel fuel is the second most-used transportation fuel in California, accounting for 17% of total fuel sales, with gasoline taking the top spot. In 2024, California sold 3.5 billion gallons of diesel, including off-road diesel. Diesel is the preferred fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment due to its higher energy content per gallon compared to gasoline, and its ability to prolong engine life.
On a national level, diesel consumption varies across states. In 2009, Texas had the highest diesel consumption at 3.8 billion gallons, while Hawaii had the lowest at 0.05 billion gallons. The five states consuming the most diesel fuel (California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas) make up 30% of diesel vehicle fuel consumption across the country.
The environmental impact of diesel and gasoline consumption is significant, with the US transportation sector's gasoline and diesel use contributing to about 30% of the country's energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, diesel consumption in the US amounted to less than 3 million barrels per day, or 1.095 billion barrels per year. This is a decrease from previous years.
Gasoline consumption in the US is close to three times higher than diesel consumption. In 2023, the US consumed 8.94 million barrels of gasoline per day, or 3.27 billion barrels per year.
The five states that consume the most diesel fuel are California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Together, these states consume 30% of diesel vehicle fuel in the US.
