Understanding CO₂ Emissions from Fuel
When you burn fuel in your vehicle, the carbon in the fuel combines with oxygen from the air to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is the main greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. The amount of CO₂ produced depends on the type and quantity of fuel burned.
Emission Factors
We use these standard emission factors based on fuel chemistry:
- Gasoline/Petrol: 2.31 kg CO₂ per liter
- Diesel: 2.68 kg CO₂ per liter
Diesel produces more CO₂ per liter because it's denser and contains more carbon. However, diesel engines are often more efficient, so the per-kilometer emissions can be similar or even lower than gasoline vehicles.
CO₂ (kg) = Fuel consumed (L) × Emission factor (kg/L)
CO₂ = 40 × 2.31 = 92.4 kg of CO₂
Putting Emissions in Context
To understand what these numbers mean:
- A typical tree absorbs about 20-25 kg of CO₂ per year
- The average person in developed countries produces 10-15 tons of CO₂ per year from all activities
- A round-trip flight from New York to London produces about 1,000 kg CO₂ per passenger
- Driving 10,000 km per year at 8 L/100km produces about 1,850 kg CO₂
How to Reduce Your Driving Emissions
Drive efficiently: Smooth acceleration, maintaining steady speeds, and avoiding unnecessary idling can reduce fuel consumption by 10-20%.
Maintain your vehicle: Proper tire pressure, regular servicing, and clean air filters keep your engine running efficiently.
Choose efficient vehicles: Smaller engines, hybrids, and modern vehicles with better aerodynamics use less fuel per kilometer.
Combine trips: Plan errands to minimize total distance. A cold engine uses more fuel, so one longer trip is better than several short ones.
Consider alternatives: For short distances, walking, cycling, or public transport often makes sense both economically and environmentally.
Limitations of This Estimate
This calculator provides a good estimate based on fuel consumption, but actual emissions vary based on:
- Fuel quality and exact composition
- Engine efficiency and condition
- Driving conditions (city vs highway, terrain, weather)
- Vehicle load and aerodynamics
The figures we use are industry-standard averages accepted by environmental agencies worldwide.