The cost to run a generator varies dramatically by fuel type, und die “cheapest” fuel depends on your local utility rates, how often you run the generator, and at what load. Here’s the data to make an accurate comparison.
Cost per kWh by Fuel Type (2025 UNS. Average Prices)
| Kraftstoff | Price per Unit | kWh per Unit | Generatoreffizienz | Kosten pro kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erdgas | $1.50/CCF | 30.2 kWh/CCF | 25% | $0.20 |
| Diesel | $4.00/Mädel | 40.1 kWh/gal | 35% | $0.28 |
| Propan (Schüttgut) | $3.00/Mädel | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.45 |
| Propan (Zylinder) | $5.00/Mädel | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.75 |
| Benzin | $3.50/Mädel | 36.3 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.39 |
Compare to grid electricity at $0.16/kWh national average — all generator fuels cost 1.5-5× more per kWh than grid power. Generatoren are for backup, not primary power.
Annual Cost by Usage Scenario
| Szenario | Hours/Year | Avg Load | Erdgas | Diesel | Benzin | Propan (Bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nur im Notfall (2 outages × 8hrs) | 16 | 5kW | $16 | $22 | $31 | $36 |
| Frequent outages (8 × 12hrs) | 96 | 5kW | $96 | $134 | $189 | $216 |
| Off-grid primary power | 4,380 | 5kW | $4,380 | $6,132 | $8,641 | $9,855 |
| Baustelle (daily use) | 2,000 | 3kW | $1,200 | $1,680 | $2,340 | $2,700 |
Hidden Costs Beyond Fuel
- Ölverbrauch: Gasoline generators need oil changes every 50-100 Std. ($8-15 per change). Diesel generators every 250-500 Std. ($20-40 per change with larger sump)
- Fuel stabilizer: Gasoline requires $5-10 per tank for STA-BIL if stored more than 30 Tage
- Spark plugs and air filters: $15-30 per year for gasoline generators
- Propane tank rental: $50-150/year for a permanent tank
- Natural gas meter upgrade: $0-2,000 one-time if your meter can’t handle the additional load
Huaquan-Tipp: For applications requiring extended runtimes, diesel generators offer the lowest total cost per kWh when fuel efficiency, maintenance intervals, and fuel storage life are all factored in. Entdecken Sie die Dieselgeneratoren von Huaquan for the most cost-effective long-term backup power solution.
