HC Deb 14 July 1980 vol 988 c437W
Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister for Transport what is the relative fuel efficiency of trains, buses, aeroplanes, diesel-fuelled haulage vehicles, diesel cars and petrol cars.

Mr. Fowler

Energy consumption varies widely with the use of the vehicle and type of route. The accompanying tables give approximate figures for average energy consumption. The tables are based on information extracted from energy papers nos. 10 and 24 published by the Department of Energy.

COMPARISON OF ENERGY USAGE OF PASSENGER CARRYING VEHICLES
Average MJ*Passenger † Km
Vehicle Range
Train 0.9–1.6‡
Bus 0.4–1.4§
1 Car (Petrol) 1.6–3.║
Car (Diesel) 1.3–2.0¶
Aeroplane 3.9
*The unit of energy used (MJ) is the meg joule (106 joules). 1 kwh = 3.6 MJ=3,412 Btu
† Includes an average load factor, i.e. the relationship between the passengers carried and the normal seat capacity.
‡ Depends on source of energy and type of use.
§ Depends on type of use and vehicle size.
║ Average figures, varying by type of use.
¶ Obtained from petrol engined car figures using diesel/petrol fuel consumption ratios for different types of use and the relative energy density of petrol and diesel fuel.
All figures except those for diesel cars obtained from Energy Paper No. 10, Passenger Transport: short and medium term considerations.

COMPARISON OF ENERGY USAGE OF FREIGHT CARRYING VEHICLES
Average MJ*\Tonne† Km
Vehicle Range
Heavy haulage lorry 0.9–5.0‡
Train 0.4–1.7§
* The unit of energy used (MJ) is the mega joule (106 joules). 1 kwh=3.6 MJ=3,412 Btu.
†Payload weight, including allowances for empty running.
‡ Varies with vehicle type and type of use.
§ Varies with type of use.
Figures obtained from Energy Paper No. 24, Freight transport: short and medium term considerations.