Are Diesel Cars More Fuel-Efficient than Petrol in Australia?

It’s one of the most debated topics for car enthusiasts, what is the most fuel efficient engine type in Australia? Are diesel cars more fuel efficient than petrol cars? With the cost of fuel hitting record highs in Australia having its important to know what engine is the most fuel efficient if you are looking to buy, it could cost you thousands in the long run.

In this blog post, Shop for Cars will dive into the the factors that influence what engine type is the most fuel efficient which will lead us to the answer of what is the most fuel efficient engine type in Australia, petrol or diesel.

Let’s dive into it.

What influences fuel efficiency in cars in Australia?

The biggest thing that is going to influence how much fuel your car consumes is the way you drive and the amount you drive. Australia is a unique country, the amount and the way that you drive will differ based on where you live. For example if live in a metro location like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane etc. driving on solid foundation rounds will help your car save fuel. Driving on off road locations has been found to contribute to greater fuel efficiency due to the power required to navigate a rugged road.

Now comes your driving style. The harder and the more revs that you use, will impact how much fuel your car consumes. How can you save fuel? Try to keep your car revs at the average 1500 - 3000 rpms.

Diesel vs. Petrol Fuel Quality in Australia

What will ultimately impact a cars fuel efficiency? Fuel Quality. That brings us to the question How does the quality of diesel fuel vary in Australia? When we look at diesel engines they generally have a higher energy density compared to petrol engines which means they can pump more energy from the same quantity of fuel compared to petrol engine.

However, this is a catch 22 and will depend on the quality of diesel fuel. Some lower end diesel fuels can lead to poor fuel efficiency and decreased engine performance.

When we compare this to petrol engines, studies have found more premium unleaded fuels are more efficient than the standard e10, however the premium fuels do come at a higher price point.

How does climate affect petrol engine fuel efficiency in Australia?

This one may surprise you to hear, climate plays a huge impact on fuel efficiency. In what climates do diesel engines traditionally perform better in terms of fuel efficiency? Heat. Why do 90% of outback cars run on diesel? Because they are found to perform better for fuel efficiency in hotter temperatures.

How do petrol engines fare in extreme heat conditions in Australia? Petrol engines are found to reduce fuel efficiency in extreme heat.

That being said, for those who live in a Metro location where the temperatures are average petrol engines are found to perform better and consume fuel at a slower rate than a diesel engine.

How do driving habits impact the fuel efficiency of diesel and petrol cars?

This may come as no surprise but the way that you drive your car will impact how much fuel you consumer. We briefly touched on this above, but your primary use of the car will determine what engine is better for fuel efficiency.

Urban motorists often find petrol engines more fuel efficiency because they are proven to be better for stop start traffic conditions.

Diesel engines however are proven to perform better in situations where sustained power is crucial for example on long commutes and towing.

What is the most fuel efficient engine in Australia?

With all that being said, now comes the time to answer the question, Are Diesel Cars More Fuel-Efficient than Petrol in Australia? That answer varies based on individual situations and intended driving style.

If you are planning on driving in an urban location than petrol engines are found to be more fuel efficient than diesel engines. If your sole purpose is driving long commutes and carrying large payloads than diesel engines perform better than petrol.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To read more articles like this, please visit the Shop for Cars latest news page here.

About Shop for Cars,

Shop for Cars is Australia’s first car dealership-only online classified. Shop for Cars brings you the best quality new and used vehicles from trusted motor dealers Australia wide. Shop for Cars currently has over 12,500 cars listed for sale all from licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers ONLY.

Click here to begin your search.

DISCLAIMER: This is all based on opinion and does not consist of legal or professional advice. Please research and consult with all relevant parties prior to making a buying decision.