The fuel consumption of trucks varies widely based on the vehicle’s size and payload. Small trucks with a payload around 16,000 kg typically consume about 25 litres per 100 km[5]. Larger trucks with payloads close to 23,500 kg or more can consume between 30 to 40 litres of diesel per 100 km[5]. In specific testing, a typical tractor-trailer consumed 32.6 litres per 100 km over a long-haul cycle, while the best-in-class models managed 29.9 litres per 100 km[3].
For pickup trucks, compact and midsize models achieving fuel consumption below 12 litres per 100 km are considered efficient, while full-size pickups under 11 litres per 100 km are seen as efficient[1]. For example, specific models such as the 2018 Ford F-150 average 10.6 L/100 km combined, the 2018 Ram 1500 turbodiesel averages 10.2 L/100 km combined, and the 2018 Toyota Tacoma achieves 11.2 L/100 km combined[2]. Diesel-powered midsize pickups can sometimes manage under 10 L/100 km combined under optimal conditions[7].
In fleet operations, Canadian data suggests the best-performing heavy-duty fleets reach 33.2 L/100 km, with national averages historically closer to 39.5 L/100 km[4].
References
- [1] Most fuel efficient trucks in 2024 & 2025 – Canada Drives
- [2] Our 5 Favourite Fuel Efficient Trucks – Team Ford
- [3] Comparison of fuel consumption and emissions for representative HDVs in Europe (PDF)
- [4] Fuel Efficiency Benchmarking in Canada’s Trucking Industry
- [5] Truck fuel efficiency — Webfleet GB
- [7] 5 Fuel-Efficient Pickup Trucks You Should Know About