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CO₂ from fuel

When petrol or diesel burns, the carbon in the fuel becomes CO₂. One litre of petrol gives about 2.3 kg of CO₂, and one litre of diesel about 2.6 kg. Emissions therefore follow consumption directly: drive more economically and you emit less. You can work out the emissions for a trip if you know the consumption and the distance.

mCO2=k⋅f⋅sm_{\text{CO}_2} = k \cdot f \cdot sthe emissions for the trip

Symbols

kkCO₂ per litre, about 2.3 for petrolkg/L
ffconsumptionL/km
ssdistancekm

Example

A petrol car uses 0.06 L/km and drives 250 km.

m=2.3⋅0.06⋅250≈35m = 2.3 \cdot 0.06 \cdot 250 \approx 35 kg CO₂.

Short trips with a cold engine give the highest consumption per kilometre. Walk or cycle when the trip is short.
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Part of Car licence (class B): Environment and eco-driving.