Understanding Fuel Economy Measurements
Fuel economy is measured differently around the world. The United States uses miles per gallon (MPG), most of Europe and many other countries use liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), and some Asian countries use kilometers per liter (km/L). These systems are not directly proportional — MPG and km/L measure distance per unit of fuel, while L/100km measures fuel per unit of distance.
This inverse relationship means converting between them requires division rather than simple multiplication. A fuel-efficient car might achieve 40 MPG (US), which equals approximately 5.88 L/100km or 17.01 km/L. Understanding these conversions helps when comparing vehicles across different markets or reading international automotive reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert MPG to L/100km?
Divide 235.215 by the MPG (US) value to get L/100km. For example, 30 MPG equals approximately 7.84 L/100km. Note that higher MPG means better fuel economy, while lower L/100km means better fuel economy — the scales are inversely related.
What is the difference between US MPG and UK MPG?
US and UK gallons have different sizes: one US gallon equals 3.785 liters, while one UK (imperial) gallon equals 4.546 liters. This means the same car will have a higher MPG number when measured in UK gallons. For example, 30 US MPG equals approximately 36 UK MPG.