Showerthought: I read a report from the EPA that said a single idling semi burns about a gallon of diesel per hour.

I was looking up some emission stuff for a 2020 Freightliner and saw that number in a footnote, which honestly blew my mind (I figured it was way less). Has anyone here actually measured the idle fuel burn on a newer rig to see if that's still accurate?

2 comments

2 Comments

hugo_craig116d ago

Yeah, that "gallon per hour" thing is an old rule of thumb. I read a trucking forum thread where a guy with a 2022 Peterbilt said his idle shutdown timer kicks in because it burns way less than that at rest. His data showed more like a half gallon, depending on if he needed the heat or AC running. The newer engines really do manage idle way better than the old ones. That EPA note might be using an average that includes a lot of older trucks still on the road.

the_hannah6d ago

That "gallon per hour" figure seems high for a newer truck with modern idle management.