How many BTU sono in un gallone di gasoline?

One gallone di regular gasoline contains circa 120,286 BTU (circa 127 megajoules o 33.4 kWh). Premium gasoline e slightly higher at around 121,463 BTU per gallone.

Does diesel hanno more energy than gasoline?

Yes. Diesel contains circa 137,381 BTU per gallone compared un gasoline's 120,286 BTU—approssimativamente 14% more energy. This e perche diesel vehicles often achieve better mileage despite diesel engines being less thermally efficient than some think.

Cos'e MPGe e how e it calculated?

MPGe (Miglia Per Gallone equivalent) compares electric vehicles un gas cars usando un common energy basis. Il EPA defines 33.7 kWh as equal un one gallone di gasoline. An EV that travels 100 miglia on 33.7 kWh e rated at 100 MPGe.

Fuel Energy Content

Comparing Gasoline, Diesel, e Other Fuels

Compare Fuels

Perche does un diesel truck get better mileage than un gasoline one? Perche do electric cars usare "MPGe" instead di MPG? Il answer lies in energy content—different fuels pack different amounts di energy per gallone, libbra, o cubic piede. Comprendere fuel energy content helps compare vehicles, heating systems, e energy costs.

Liquid Fuels Energy Content

Fuel	BTU/Gallone	MJ/Litro	kWh/Gallone
Gasoline (regular)	120,286	34.2	33.4
Gasoline (premium)	121,463	34.5	33.7
Diesel (#2)	137,381	38.6	38.2
Biodiesel (B100)	126,206	35.7	37.0
Ethanol (E100)	84,530	23.4	24.8
E85 (85% ethanol)	90,660	25.6	26.6
Propane (LPG)	91,502	25.4	26.8
Heating oil	138,500	38.7	40.6
Jet fuel (Jet A)	128,100	35.0	37.5

Gaseous Fuels Energy Content

Fuel	BTU/Unita	MJ/Unita	kWh/Unita
Natural gas (per therm)	100,000	105.5	29.3
Natural gas (per CCF)	103,000	108.7	30.2
Natural gas (per cubic ft)	1,030	1.09	0.302
Propane (per gallone)	91,502	96.5	26.8
Hydrogen (per kg)	134,000	141.4	39.3
Compressed natural gas (GGE)*	120,000	126.6	35.2

*GGE = Gasoline Gallone Equivalent

Converti Energy Unita

Solid Fuels Energy Content

Fuel	BTU/lb	MJ/kg	kWh/kg
Anthracite coal	12,000-13,000	30-32	8.3-8.9
Bituminous coal	10,500-12,500	26-31	7.2-8.6
Sub-bituminous coal	8,000-10,000	20-25	5.6-6.9
Lignite	5,000-7,000	12-17	3.3-4.7
Wood (air dried)	6,400	15	4.2
Wood pellets	8,000	18.6	5.2

Perche Energy Content Matters

Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

A diesel vehicle getting 35 MPG actually travels further per BTU than un gasoline car at 30 MPG:

Diesel: 35 miglia ÷ 137,381 BTU = 0.000255 miglia/BTU
Gasoline: 30 miglia ÷ 120,286 BTU = 0.000249 miglia/BTU

Il diesel e 2.4% more efficient per unit di energy, not just per gallone.

Heating Cost Comparison

A deliver 1 million BTU di heat:

Fuel	Amount Needed	Cost*
Natural gas	10 therms	~$12
Propane	10.9 galloni	~$33
Heating oil	7.2 galloni	~$29
Electricity	293 kWh	~$35

*Approximate 2024 prices, varies da region

Energy Density Comparison

Energy density (energy per unit weight) affects what fuels sono practical per different uses:

Fuel	MJ/kg	Usa Case
Hydrogen	142	Highest da weight; hard un store
Gasoline	46	Cars, aircraft
Diesel	45	Trucks, ships, generators
Jet fuel	43	Aircraft
Natural gas	55	Heating, power plants
Lithium battery	0.5-1	EVs (low energy density)

Batteries store ~50× less energy per kg than gasoline—perche EVs need heavy battery packs.

Convertendo Between Fuels

Gasoline Gallone Equivalents (GGE)

Fuel	Amount = 1 GGE
Gasoline	1 gallone
Diesel	0.88 galloni
Ethanol (E100)	1.42 galloni
E85	1.33 galloni
Propane	1.31 galloni
Natural gas	126.67 piedi cubi
Electricity	33.7 kWh

Conclusione

Different fuels contain vastly different amounts di energy. Diesel packs circa 14% more energy per gallone than gasoline; ethanol ha circa 30% less. Comprendere these differences helps you compare fuel costs, vehicle efficiency, e heating options on un equal energy basis rather than just price per gallone.