U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #368: April 18, 2005
Truck Fuel Types

Over 95% of light trucks (class 1 and 2) in 2002 were gasoline fueled and over 90% of heavy trucks (class 7 and 8) were diesel fueled, according to the 2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey. Diesel-fueled vehicles are more prevalent now than in the past. In 2002, 55% of medium trucks (class 3–6) were fueled by diesel, while the 1977 survey showed only 3% of medium trucks used diesel (second graph below). Diesel heavy trucks accounted for only 60% of the heavy truck population in 1977.

Share of Trucks by Truck Size and Fuel Type, 2002
Graph showing share of trucks by truck size and the fuel type used in 2002.
Share of Trucks by Truck Size and Fuel Type, 1977
Graph showing share of trucks by truck size and fuel type used in 1977.

Note: Truck weight based on manufacturer's gross vehicle weight (GVW) rating
Light trucks (class 1 and 2): < 10,000 lb GVW
Medium trucks (class 3–6): 10,001–26,000 lb GVW
Heavy trucks (class 7 and 8): > 26,000 lb GVW

Supporting Information

Share of Trucks by Truck Size and Fuel Type, 2002
  Truck Size  
Fuel Type Light
(class 1 and 2)		 Medium
(class 3–6)		 Heavy
(class 7 and 8)		 Total
Gasoline 96.0% 43.1% 6.5% 91.9%
Diesel 3.2% 55.3% 93.3% 7.4%
Other 0.7% 1.5% 0.1% 0.7%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey," Microdata file, January 2005. Data generated by Stacy Davis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2005.


Share of Trucks by Truck Size and Fuel Type, 1977
  Truck Size  
Fuel Type Light
(class 1 and 2)		 Medium
(class 3–6)		 Heavy
(class 7 and 8)		 Total
Gasoline 99.7% 96.2% 38.6% 95.6%
Diesel 0.1% 2.8% 61.0% 4.0%
Other 0.3% 1.0% 0.4% 0.3%
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "1977 Truck Inventory and Use Survey," Microdata file, 1979.

Data generated by Stacy Davis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, March 2005.

 

Return to 2005 Facts of the Week