The cost to run a generator varies dramatically by fuel type, i “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 NAS. Average Prices)
| Gorivo | Price per Unit | kWh per Unit | Učinkovitost generatora | Trošak po kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prirodni plin | $1.50/CCF | 30.2 kWh/CCF | 25% | $0.20 |
| Dizel | $4.00/gal | 40.1 kWh/gal | 35% | $0.28 |
| Propan (rasuti) | $3.00/gal | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.45 |
| Propan (cilindar) | $5.00/gal | 26.8 kWh/gal | 25% | $0.75 |
| Benzin | $3.50/gal | 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. Generatori are for backup, not primary power.
Annual Cost by Usage Scenario
| Scenarij | Hours/Year | Avg Load | Prirodni plin | Dizel | Benzin | Propan (Bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samo hitno (2 outages × 8hrs) | 16 | 5kW | $16 | $22 | $31 | $36 |
| Frequent outages (8 × 12hrs) | 96 | 5kW | $96 | $134 | $189 | $216 |
| Primarno napajanje izvan mreže | 4,380 | 5kW | $4,380 | $6,132 | $8,641 | $9,855 |
| Gradilište (daily use) | 2,000 | 3kW | $1,200 | $1,680 | $2,340 | $2,700 |
Hidden Costs Beyond Fuel
- Potrošnja ulja: Gasoline generators need oil changes every 50-100 sati ($8-15 per change). Diesel generators every 250-500 sati ($20-40 per change with larger sump)
- Fuel stabilizer: Gasoline requires $5-10 per tank for STA-BIL if stored more than 30 dana
- 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 savjet: 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. Istražite Huaquan dizel generatore for the most cost-effective long-term backup power solution.
