Numbers

How much fuel does a truck use per year

The question sounds simple, but the answer depends on three numbers: average consumption, annual distance and fuel price. Put together, they produce a figure that stands up in a board meeting.

5 min read

The formula

Annual litres = (average consumption in L/100 km ÷ 100) × annual distance in km. Annual cost = annual litres × price per litre.

Example: long-haul tractor unit

At 30 L/100 km and 120,000 km a year, annual consumption is 36,000 litres. A 7% saving is 2,520 litres per vehicle per year — before counting any fleet multiplier.

Across 20 tractor units that is over 50,000 litres a year saved with no change to routes, payload or driving style.

  • 30 L/100 km × 120,000 km = 36,000 L per year
  • 7% saving = 2,520 L per vehicle per year
  • Over a 700,000 km service life the saving runs into tens of thousands of litres

Example: urban distribution vehicle

A city vehicle at 35 L/100 km and 45,000 km a year burns 15,750 litres. An 8% saving is 1,260 litres — smaller in absolute terms, but with fast payback because consumption per kilometre is high.

Why lifetime matters

Trucks in transport work often cover around 700,000 km before retirement. Since the system is fitted once and works for the life of the vehicle, the saving is worth evaluating over that whole horizon.

FAQ

Questions we are asked most

How many litres per year does an average tractor unit use?
At 100,000–130,000 km a year and 28–33 L/100 km, annual consumption is usually between 28,000 and 43,000 litres.
How do I calculate the saving for my own fleet?
Enter your average consumption and annual distance into the saving calculator to get annual and 700,000 km lifetime figures.
Should the calculation use list or contracted fuel price?
Use the price your company actually pays at the pump, including any rebates.

Want the numbers for your own fleet?

We measure consumption before and after installation on your own vehicles, under an agreed methodology, with a contracted minimum saving of 7% on liquid fuels.

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