The inventor of the diesel engine, Rudolf Diesel, originally designed his engine to use coal dust as fuel. He also experimented with vegetable oil before the petroleum industry began making petroleum diesel fuel. Most diesel fuel used in the United States is refined from crude oil. However, use of biodiesel and renewable diesel is increasing.
The first diesel engine automobile trip was completed on January 6, 1930. The nearly 800-mile trip was from Indianapolis, Indiana, to New York City. The trip demonstrated the potential value of the diesel engine design, which has been used in millions of vehicles since its inaugural trip.
Freight truck with diesel engine
Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)
Diesel fuel is important to the U.S. economy
Most of the products we use are transported by trucks and trains with diesel engines, and most construction, farming, and military vehicles and equipment also have diesel engines. As a transportation fuel, diesel fuel offers a wide range of performance, efficiency, and safety features. Diesel fuel also has a greater energy density than other liquid fuels, so it provides more useful energy per unit of volume.
In 2022, distillate (or diesel) fuel consumption (excluding biodiesel and renewable diesel) by the U.S. transportation sector was about 2.98 million barrels per day, or about 125 million gallons per day. This annual consumption accounted for about 75% of total U.S. distillate consumption and about 15% of total U.S. petroleum consumption. On an energy content basis, diesel fuel accounted for about 23% of total energy consumption in the U.S. transportation sector and for about 6% of U.S. total primary energy consumption.1
Diesel fuel is used for many tasks
Diesel engines in trucks, trains, boats, and barges help transport nearly all products people consume. Diesel fuel is commonly used in public buses and school buses.
Diesel fuel powers most of the farm and construction equipment in the United States. Diesel-engine-powered machinery can do demanding construction work, such as lifting steel beams, digging foundations and trenches, drilling wells, paving roads, and moving soil and rocks.
The U.S. military uses diesel fuel in tanks and trucks because diesel fuel is less flammable and less explosive than other fuels. Diesel engines are also less likely to stall than gasoline-fueled engines.
Diesel fuel is also used in diesel engine generators to generate electricity. Many industrial facilities, large buildings, institutional facilities, hospitals, and electric utilities have diesel generators for backup and emergency power supply. Most remote villages in Alaska use diesel generators as the primary source of electricity.
A dirt scooper and loader loading dirt into a dump truck
Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)
1 Source: Monthly Energy Review, June 2023 and Petroleum Supply Monthly, June 2023. Data for 2022 are preliminary. Total energy consumption includes primary energy consumption by the sector, retail electricity sales to the sector, electrical system energy losses, and other energy losses throughout the energy system.
Last updated: September 14, 2023, with data available from source reports as indicated; data for 2022 are preliminary.
FAQs
California's renewable diesel consumption grew substantially after its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) went into effect in 2011. Between 2011 and 2021, consumption grew from 1 million barrels to 28 million barrels per year, over 18 times its original volume.
How many gallons of diesel fuel are used in the US each year? ›
In 2022, U.S. refineries produced about 1.75 billion barrels (73.46 billion gallons) of ULSD. Total ULSD consumption in the United States for all uses was about 1.44 billion barrels (60.30 billion gallons).
What is EIA for fuel? ›
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical agency of the Department of Energy. It provides policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy, and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
What is the renewable diesel capacity for EIA? ›
Renewable diesel production capacity has expanded significantly in recent years. EIA data shows capacity was at 1.75 billion gallons per year in January 2022 and had reached 3.857 billion gallons per year by November 2023.
What are 5 uses of diesel fuel? ›
Uses
- On-road vehicles. Trucks and buses, which were often otto-powered in the 1920s through 1950s, are now almost exclusively diesel-powered. ...
- Railroad. See also: Dieselisation and Diesel locomotive. ...
- Aircraft. ...
- Military vehicles. ...
- Tractors and heavy equipment. ...
- Other uses.
As a result, the transportation sector accounts for a significant portion of diesel fuel consumption. The expanding global transportation network and the increasing mobility needs contribute to the growing demand for refined products.
How much diesel does us use? ›
Diesel fuel is important to the U.S. economy
In 2022, distillate (or diesel) fuel consumption (excluding biodiesel and renewable diesel) by the U.S. transportation sector was about 2.98 million barrels per day, or about 125 million gallons per day.
How much diesel is used in the US per day? ›
The average consumption of diesel fuel in the United States amounted to around 3.77 million barrels per day in March 2024. In the period of consideration, diesel consumption in the country reached its peak in February 2022.
Does the US use more diesel than gas? ›
Gasoline consumption is close to three times higher than diesel consumption, the latter amounting to less than three million barrels per day.
What is the difference between EIA and EPA? ›
While they are often confused with one another, they each play a different and distinct role. Put simply, environmental assessments define the environment while environmental impact assessments define the proposed activity and what effect it will have on the defined environment.
The EIA is the independent statistical and analytical agency within the DOE. The FERC is an independent regulatory commission within the DOE which has jurisdiction primarily in the regulation of electric utilities and the interstate natural gas industry.
What is EIA in USA? ›
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.
How much jet fuel does the EIA use? ›
So far in 2022, jet fuel consumption has averaged 1.5 million barrels per day (b/d), according to weekly product supplied data reported in our Weekly Petroleum Status Report. By comparison, consumption of jet fuel in all of 2019 averaged 1.7 million b/d.
How many MPG does renewable diesel get? ›
UPDATE: Single Tank Of Renewable Diesel Fuel Takes Car Cross-Country at 67 MPG.
Is there a future for renewable diesel? ›
Renewable diesel production capacity is poised to grow rapidly. Renewable diesel production capacity in the United States is in the middle of a massive expansion. Production capacity grew by 400 percent between 2019 and 2022 and based on announced and planned projects, it could double again by the end of 2024.
What vehicles use diesel fuel? ›
Diesel engines in trucks, trains, boats, and barges help transport nearly all products people consume. Diesel fuel is commonly used in public buses and school buses.
What substance has the EPA mandated be reduced in diesel fuel? ›
Beginning in 2006, EPA began to phase-in more stringent regulations to lower the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel to 15 ppm. This fuel is known as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
Who uses renewable diesel? ›
Renewable diesel is primarily made from used cooking oil and inedible animal fats left over from processing meat. The fuel is used primarily in California because of economic benefits provided under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
What fuel is used in EPA testing? ›
In that rule, EPA introduced new test fuel specifications that are much more similar to the properties of typical fuels commercially available today, which on average contain about 10 percent ethanol (called “E10 fuel”) and lower levels of aromatics than did the earlier E0 test fuel.
