Liters per 100 Kilometers (L/100km) - Unit Information & Conversion

Definition

Liters per 100 Kilometers (L/100km) is a unit of fuel consumption commonly used in the metric system. It measures the volume of fuel (in liters) required for a vehicle to travel a distance of 100 kilometers. Unlike units like MPG or km/L, a lower value indicates better fuel efficiency.

History

The L/100km unit gained prominence alongside the adoption of the metric system in many parts of the world, particularly Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia and South America. It was chosen as a standard measure because it directly quantifies fuel consumption over a fixed, standard distance (100 km), which is often preferred for regulatory and comparative purposes over distance-per-unit-volume measures like km/L or MPG. Its adoption reflects a focus on the amount of resource used rather than the distance achieved per unit of resource.

Common Uses

• Official Vehicle Ratings: Standard unit for reporting fuel consumption figures by manufacturers and government agencies in many metric countries.
• Vehicle Labeling: Displayed on mandatory fuel economy labels on new cars in regions like the EU, Canada, and Australia.
• Consumer Comparison: Used by consumers to compare the fuel usage of different vehicles (remembering lower is better).
• Fleet Management: Helps businesses track and manage fuel costs for vehicle fleets.
• Environmental Reporting: Used in calculating vehicle emissions based on fuel consumed.

Unit FAQs

Is a lower L/100km value better?

Yes, a lower L/100km value indicates better fuel efficiency. It means the vehicle consumes less fuel to travel the same 100 kilometers.

How do I convert L/100km to km/L?

To convert Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) to Kilometers per Liter (km/L), divide 100 by the L/100km value: km/L = 100 / (L/100km). Note that km/L measures efficiency directly (higher is better).

How do I convert L/100km to MPG (US)?

To convert L/100km to US Miles Per Gallon (MPG), divide 235.21 by the L/100km value: MPG (US) ≈ 235.21 / (L/100km).

How do I convert L/100km to MPG (Imperial)?

To convert L/100km to Imperial Miles Per Gallon (MPG), used mainly in the UK, divide 282.48 by the L/100km value: MPG (Imperial) ≈ 282.48 / (L/100km).