Mercedes Mullins
Diesel fuel is a type of refined crude oil that powers engines, generators, and vehicles. It is widely used due to its safety, performance, and efficiency. The average price of diesel fuel globally is $1.18 per liter as of June 2025, but consumption and prices vary across countries. In the US, for example, the average consumption of diesel fuel was around 3.59 million barrels per day in the first week of December 2024, with diesel fuel accounting for about 23% of total energy consumption in the transportation sector. With its high energy density and versatility, diesel fuel plays a significant role in various industries, powering trucks, trains, boats, and construction equipment, as well as providing backup and emergency power supply for essential facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average price of diesel in the world | 1.18 US dollars per liter |
| Oil reserves in the world (as of 2016) | 1.65 trillion barrels |
| Global oil consumption (as of 2016) | 35,442,913,090 barrels, or 97,103,871 barrels per day |
| Global oil consumption per capita (as of 2016) | 5 barrels per person per year, or 0.5 gallons per capita per day |
| US diesel consumption (first week of December 2024) | 3.59 million barrels per day |
| US distillate (or diesel) fuel consumption (2022) | 2.98 million barrels per day, or about 125 million gallons per day |
| Percentage of total US distillate consumption accounted for by diesel fuel | 75% |
| Percentage of total US petroleum consumption accounted for by diesel fuel | 15% |
| Percentage of total energy consumption in the US transportation sector accounted for by diesel fuel (on an energy content basis) | 23% |
| Percentage of total primary energy consumption in the US accounted for by diesel fuel (on an energy content basis) | 6% |
| Use cases of diesel fuel | Transportation fuel for trucks, trains, boats, and barges; fuel for generators, especially in remote villages in Alaska; fuel for military tanks and trucks |
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What You'll Learn
The US's consumption of diesel fuel
The US consumption of diesel fuel has remained relatively constant over the last two decades, while car sales have decreased since 2014. In 2009, vehicles in the US consumed 172 billion gallons of fuel, with 35 billion gallons (20%) being diesel. Since 1970, total highway fuel consumption has increased by 86%, with an annual growth rate of 1.6%. Special fuels consumption, including diesel, is five times greater than in 1970, with an annual growth rate of 4.3%.
The ratio of diesel consumption to gasoline consumption varies by state, ranging from 1:1.1 in Alaska to 1:9 in Hawaii. In 2023, gasoline consumption in the US transportation sector was almost three times higher than diesel consumption, with gasoline consumption exceeding 8.5 million barrels per day, and diesel consumption at less than 3 million barrels per day.
The transportation sector, which includes public and private transportation by road vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships, is the second-largest energy-consuming sector in the US. The majority of energy consumed in this sector is derived from petroleum or crude oil. However, government incentives have led to an increase in annual biofuel consumption, which now stands at over 1.6 billion gallons.
While the US is an economically advanced country, it has low gas prices compared to other nations. This is due to the various taxes and subsidies imposed on diesel fuel, which affect the retail price. Despite this, diesel prices in the US are still higher than in countries that produce and export oil.
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Diesel fuel prices worldwide
As of June 9, 2025, the average price of diesel fuel worldwide was 1.18 US dollars per liter. However, diesel fuel prices vary significantly from country to country. In general, richer countries tend to have higher prices, while poorer countries and oil-producing/exporting countries have significantly lower prices. An exception to this trend is the United States, which is an economically advanced country but enjoys relatively low gas prices.
The differences in diesel prices across countries are primarily due to variations in taxes and subsidies. While all countries have access to the same international market prices for petroleum, the retail price of diesel differs due to the diverse taxes imposed by individual countries. As a result, the final price of diesel fuel for consumers can vary.
For example, countries with regulated fuel markets may experience less frequent changes in diesel prices. These countries typically update their fuel prices on a monthly basis, resulting in more stable pricing when compared to countries with weekly price adjustments.
To understand the full extent of price differences across countries and over time, it is essential to consider factors beyond taxes and subsidies. Geographical location, inflation rates, production and supply dynamics, refining processes, and reserves all play a role in shaping diesel fuel prices in different parts of the world. Additionally, the strength of a country's currency can influence the purchasing power of its citizens when it comes to global commodities like diesel fuel.
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Diesel engines and their uses
Diesel fuel is widely used for transportation, powering trucks, trains, boats, and barges that transport most of the products consumed by people. In 2022, distillate (or diesel) fuel consumption by the U.S. transportation sector was about 2.98 million barrels per day, or approximately 125 million gallons per day. This accounted for about 75% of total U.S. distillate consumption and about 15% of total U.S. petroleum consumption. Diesel engines are also commonly used in public and school buses, as well as farming and construction equipment. The U.S. military utilizes diesel fuel in tanks and trucks due to its lower flammability and explosivity compared to other fuels, as well as its reduced likelihood of stalling.
Diesel engines are known for their fuel efficiency and performance. They can travel 20% to 35% farther on a single gallon of fuel than similarly-sized gasoline vehicles. Diesel engines also have fewer parts, resulting in fewer potential breakdowns and reduced maintenance requirements. They are less susceptible to electrical failures since they do not have spark plugs. Additionally, diesel engines offer emotional advantages, with a long history of being a trusted companion for people starting their workday.
Diesel engines are well-suited for forced induction setups, particularly turbocharging, due to their wide ignition limits and the absence of fuel during the compression stroke. This enhances efficiency and torque output. The rotational speed of a diesel engine is another factor that influences its categorization. Slow-speed engines ( <300 rpm) are used for applications like generators, while high-speed engines power trucks, buses, tractors, cars, yachts, and compressors. Medium-speed engines are commonly used in marine applications, powering ferries, passenger ships, or small freight ships, improving transport capacity and safety.
The use of biodiesel and renewable diesel is increasing, addressing the environmental concerns associated with traditional diesel fuel. Innovative aftertreatment systems can convert diesel emissions into nitrogen gas and water vapour, allowing diesel to remain a viable energy source in a sustainable future. Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, originally intended for his engine to run on coal dust and even experimented with vegetable oil before the adoption of petroleum diesel fuel.
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Oil reserves and consumption
Oil reserves refer to the amount of crude oil located in a particular country that can be recovered with current technology and at a financially feasible cost relative to the current oil price. These reserves can be estimated through an analysis of geological and engineering data. However, the estimates of proven oil reserves can vary depending on the source and the specific classes of oil included. For instance, North America has over 3 trillion barrels of shale oil reserves, but this may not be included in some estimates of proven reserves.
As of 2020, the world consumed approximately 88.6 million barrels of oil per day, which amounted to 30.1% of the world's primary energy. This consumption varies across countries, with the United States being the largest consumer of oil globally. The price of diesel fuel also varies across countries, with richer countries generally having higher prices, and oil-producing and exporting countries having lower prices. As of June 9, 2025, the average price of diesel worldwide was $1.18 per liter, but prices can differ due to varying taxes and subsidies imposed by individual countries.
Venezuela holds the largest amount of oil reserves globally, with more than 300 billion barrels in reserve. However, most of Venezuela's oil is offshore or far underground, making it costly and unprofitable to extract with current technology. Saudi Arabia has the second-largest oil reserves, with just over 267 billion barrels, but its reserves are more accessible and cost-effective to extract.
The accessibility and profitability of oil reserves can significantly impact a country's economy. For example, despite having the largest oil reserves, Venezuela still struggles economically due to the high costs associated with extracting its oil. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia's economy is twice the size of Venezuela's, thanks to its more easily exploitable reserves.
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The future of diesel fuel
While the world is transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, diesel fuel is still the lifeblood of multiple industries, including transportation and agriculture. Diesel fuel is a type of distillate fuel oil used in vehicles with compression-ignition engines, also known as diesel engines. The future of diesel fuel is a pressing question for leaders in these sectors, especially with the emergence of electric vehicles and alternative fuels, as well as evolving state and federal regulations around emission standards.
Diesel has been the go-to fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment requiring high power and endurance. It has been favoured for its ability to efficiently move heavy loads over long distances. However, the main drawback of diesel is the complexity and cost of cleaning up its environmental impact. As a result, diesel vehicles are facing increasing scrutiny due to their less environmentally friendly nature compared to electric alternatives.
Despite the environmental concerns, diesel fuel is not going anywhere anytime soon. There are millions of diesel vehicles currently in operation, and advancements in clean diesel technology are helping to address emissions issues. Renewable diesel, a type of biofuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats, is gaining popularity due to its higher fuel economy and reduced environmental impact. This evolution of diesel fuel is crucial in maintaining its performance and reliability while becoming more sustainable.
In addition, diesel technology is being combined with hybridization to further improve fuel efficiency and emissions. The transportation industry is at a crossroads, with carriers having the option to adopt newer, more efficient diesel trucks or explore alternative propulsion systems. The future of diesel, therefore, involves a shift towards renewable biodiesel, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel-derived diesel.
While the demand for diesel may decrease in certain regions, such as Europe, it remains a significant fuel source globally. The balance between diesel and electric powertrains is expected to continue, with each meeting specific application and customer needs. The widespread adoption of renewable diesel or alternative fuel sources will depend on infrastructure viability and the ability to separate energy for transportation from other energy purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
I cannot find the exact amount of diesel fuel sold in the world. However, I can provide some statistics on diesel consumption.
Again, I cannot find exact figures for worldwide consumption by country, but I can tell you that the United States consumed around 3.59 million barrels of diesel fuel per day in the first week of December 2024.
Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines, which power trucks, trains, boats, and barges that transport most of the products people consume. It is also used in farming and construction equipment, military vehicles, and diesel engine generators for electricity.
Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than other liquid fuels, providing more useful energy per unit of volume. It is also less flammable and less explosive than other fuels, making it safer for certain applications like military use.
Most diesel fuel used in the United States is refined from crude oil. However, the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel, which can be made from vegetable oil, is increasing.
