
The United Kingdom's fuel consumption has varied over the years. In 2020, the UK reached a minimum gasoline consumption of 223.01 thousand barrels per day, while in 1990, it recorded a maximum of 562.84 thousand barrels per day. The UK has committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with a target of generating 20% of its energy supply from renewable sources by 2020. The UK has also invested in nuclear power, with 26% of its electricity generated from nuclear power in 1997. In 2023, wind power contributed 29.4% of UK electricity generation, and the UK is one of the best sites in Europe for wind energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Generation from Nuclear Power | 26% at its peak in 1997 |
| Oil Production Peak | Nearly 3 million barrels per day in 1999 |
| Oil Products Consumption by Sector in 2021 | Transport (72.7%), Industry (5.2%), Residential (4.7%), Commercial/Public Services (4.5%) |
| Hydroelectric Power Stations' Contribution to UK's Total Generating Capacity in 2012 | 1.67 GW (1.9%) |
| Hydroelectric Power Stations' Contribution to UK's Renewable Energy Generating Capacity in 2012 | 14% |
| Annual Electricity Production from Hydroelectric Power Stations | ~5,700 GWh (1.5% of total electricity production) |
| Contribution of Renewables to UK's Electricity Generation in Q3 2019 | 38.9% (28.8 TWh of electricity) |
| Number of Gas-fired Schemes | 1,439 |
| Total CHP Electrical Generating Capacity of Gas-fired Schemes | 5.47 GW |
| Contribution of Gas-fired Schemes to UK's Electricity Supply | 7% |
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What You'll Learn

UK fuel consumption by transport mode and fuel type
The UK government provides data tables on petroleum consumption by transport mode and fuel type, energy consumption by transport mode and energy source, and average emissions from road vehicles in urban conditions. The data covers the period from 1990 to 2023 and is updated based on the most recently available data sources.
The data tables provide information on the volume of petrol and diesel consumed in the UK by year and month. Additionally, the tables include information on petrol and diesel prices and duties, with a specific table for prices and duties per litre in April of each year from 1990 to 2024.
The UK government also provides data on energy consumption by transport mode, including information on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, and air pollutant emissions by transport mode from 1990 to 2023. The data covers different types of transport modes, including road vehicles in urban conditions and aircraft noise around airports from 2000 to 2023.
The data on fuel consumption and emissions for different transport modes is essential for understanding the environmental impact of transportation in the UK. It allows for the analysis of trends and the development of strategies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, the data can be used to calculate the cost of fuel for different vehicles, taking into account factors such as fuel type, mileage, and mpg rate.
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UK electricity generation by fuel source
The United Kingdom has been working to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. In 2023, the UK used 900,000 metric tons of oil-equivalent coal for electricity generation, a significant decrease from almost 29 million tons two decades earlier. Gas has become the main fuel source for electricity generation, with 18 million tons of oil equivalent being used in 2023.
The UK has been transitioning to renewable energy sources, with wind power being the fastest-growing supply. In 2019, renewables contributed 38.9% of the UK's electricity generation, producing 28.8 TWh of electricity. In 2020, 43% of the UK's power came from renewable sources, including wind, solar, bioenergy, and hydroelectric power. In 2023, wind power contributed 29.4% of the UK's total electricity generation, while biomass energy contributed 5% and hydropower 1.8%.
Nuclear power has also played a role in the UK's energy mix. In 1997, nuclear power generated 26% of the nation's electricity. In 2010, nuclear energy, along with renewables, generated more power than gas and coal combined for the first time.
The UK is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and has set a target for all electricity to come from 100% zero-carbon generation by 2035. The UK's renewable capacity is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years, with wind power regularly setting new records.
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UK fuel consumption and emissions by transport mode
The UK's transport sector is a major contributor to the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 26% of total emissions in 2021. The majority of these emissions come from road vehicles, with cars and taxis being the largest emitters.
In 2021, cars made up 75% of road vehicle miles travelled in the UK but produced 57% of transport emissions. This discrepancy is due to the fuel efficiency of smaller vehicles compared to larger ones like HGVs, which typically travel longer distances with greater loads. HGVs made up only 6% of vehicle miles but contributed 21% of emissions. Vans also showed a significant increase in emissions, with an 119% increase in mileage resulting in a 62% rise in emissions. On the other hand, buses and coaches decreased mileage by 37% and emissions by 53%.
According to provisional data for 2023, UK domestic GHG emissions from the transport sector decreased by 1% (1.6 MtCO2e) to 111.6 MtCO2e. This marks an 11% decrease (13.9 MtCO2e) compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
In 2022, the majority (89%) of GHG emissions from domestic transport came from road vehicles, with cars and taxis accounting for 53% of these emissions. HGVs and light vans contributed 17% and 16%, respectively. That same year, international aviation accounted for 19% of the UK's total GHG emissions from transport, while international shipping made up 4% of the rise in total UK transport emissions from 2021 to 2022.
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UK fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions
The UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions largely come from the burning of fossil fuels, industrial production, and land use change. To reduce emissions, it is essential to decrease energy consumption, particularly from fossil fuels.
The UK's CO2 emissions can be broken down by fuel type, including coal, oil, gas, cement, and flaring. Additionally, the country's carbon intensity, measured in kilograms of CO2 emitted per kilogram of oil equivalent consumed, can provide insights into the relationship between economic growth and emissions. Decoupling economic growth from CO2 emissions is crucial for achieving both reduced emissions and increased prosperity.
Furthermore, nitrous oxide emissions, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents, contribute significantly to the UK's carbon footprint. By examining the breakdown of nitrous oxide sources and the energy intensity, which measures the amount of energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product, we can identify areas to reduce emissions.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) provides information on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and tax bands for new and used cars in the UK. This data includes all new cars currently on sale and used cars registered after March 1, 2001.
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UK fuel consumption and renewable energy sources
The UK's strategy to reach net zero by 2050 is heavily focused on clean power generation. In 2019, renewable energy sources generated more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time, with wind, solar, hydroelectric, and bioenergy being the four primary sources. In 2022, the UK generated 2,246 GWh more energy from renewable sources than from fossil fuels, with solid biomass being the most-consumed renewable energy source. This was a significant increase from 2002, when the UK consumed just 0.06 exajoules of renewable energy.
In 2022, over two-fifths (41.8%) of the electricity consumed in the UK came from renewable sources, with wind power contributing 29.4% and biomass energy contributing 5% to the renewable mix. Hydropower, including tidal power, contributed 1.8%. Overall, renewables made up over a tenth (14%) of the UK's total energy consumption in 2022, with the industrial sector having the highest consumption at 22.3%.
The UK is on track to increase its renewable energy capacity dramatically in the coming years, with the government setting a target for all electricity to come from 100% zero-carbon generation by 2035. This aligns with the EU Renewables Directive, which set a target of generating 20% of the EU's energy supply from renewable sources by 2020, with a 15% allocation for the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
The UK consumed an average of 422.83 thousand barrels of gasoline per day between 1980 and 2023. In 2020, the UK's gasoline consumption fell to a record low of 223.01 thousand barrels per day.
In 2010, gas was the UK's primary energy source, accounting for nearly 40% of its total primary energy supply. Electricity accounted for more than 45% of the UK's energy supply in the same year.
In the third quarter of 2019, renewables contributed 38.9% of the UK's electricity generation. In 2023, wind power alone contributed 29.4% of the UK's electricity generation.
The UK government has made several commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In 2009, the Low Carbon Transition Plan aimed to generate 30% of electricity from renewable sources and 40% from low-carbon content fuels by 2020. The UK is also planning to reform its electricity market to encourage the development of new generation capacity and contracts for difference.











































