Heat of combustion (lower heating value)
| Fuel | MJ/kg | MJ/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen (H₂) | 120 | 0.01 (gas) / 8.5 (liquid) | Highest per mass; lowest per volume |
| Methane (CH₄) | 50.0 | 0.0354 (gas) | Natural gas |
| Propane (C₃H₈) | 46.4 | 23 (liquid) | LPG |
| Butane | 45.7 | 27 (liquid) | |
| Gasoline | 43.5 | 32 | Octane mix |
| Diesel #2 | 43.0 | 36 | |
| Kerosene / Jet A | 43.0 | 34.7 | |
| Ethanol | 26.8 | 21.2 | |
| Methanol | 19.9 | 15.8 | |
| Coal (bituminous) | 24 | n/a | |
| Wood (dry) | 15–18 | n/a | |
| Biodiesel (B100) | 37.5 | 33 |
Food / biological fuel
| Substance | MJ/kg | kcal / g |
|---|---|---|
| Fat / oil | 37.7 | 9 |
| Alcohol | 29.7 | 7 |
| Protein | 16.7 | 4 |
| Carbohydrate | 16.7 | 4 |
Batteries for comparison
| Type | MJ/kg |
|---|---|
| Li-ion (NMC) | 0.9 |
| Alkaline | 0.5 |
| Lead-acid | 0.15 |
Notes
- Batteries are ~1 – 2 orders of magnitude less energy-dense than fuels by mass.
- Engine / generator conversion efficiency is typically 20–40% — usable energy is less than heat of combustion.
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