Petrol vs Dual Fuel vs Diesel Generators
- Petrol generators are a practical choice for many home, outdoor and portable power needs, with a wide range of outputs available.
- Dual fuel generators add the option of LPG, giving you more flexibility over how you fuel your generator.
- Diesel generators are generally better suited to heavier, sustained workloads, including some commercial, agricultural and industrial applications.
- Think about how often you’ll use your generator. Occasional backup power and regular heavy-duty use place very different demands on the machine.
- Work out your power requirements before choosing a fuel type. Your generator still needs enough running and starting capacity for your equipment.
- Consider portability as well as power. If you’ll regularly move your generator, size and weight can make a real difference.
- There’s no single best fuel type for every job. Your power requirements, workload and where you’ll use the generator should guide your choice.
Choosing between a petrol, dual fuel and diesel generator comes down to what you need to power, where you’ll use it and how hard you expect it to work.
For many homes, outdoor setups and portable jobs, petrol is a sensible starting point. Diesel tends to make more sense when you need sustained power for heavier workloads.
There’s another option too. A dual-fuel generator can run on petrol or LPG, giving you more flexibility over your fuel source without moving to a diesel model.
Our generator range includes petrol, dual-fuel and diesel options for different power requirements and types of use.
What’s the difference between petrol, dual-fuel and diesel generators?
The obvious difference is the fuel, but what matters more is how each type fits the way you plan to use your generator.
Petrol generators cover a wide range of portable and general-purpose jobs. Our petrol range includes options for everything from camping and events to home backup and powering tools.
Dual fuel generators are a great option when you want the flexibility to switch between petrol and LPG, giving you an alternative fuel source while benefiting from easier long-term storage and convenient backup power when doing everyday tasks.
Diesel generators sit towards the heavier-duty end of our range. They are better suited to sustained loads and longer-running applications, including some construction, agricultural and industrial uses.
The choice isn’t simply petrol or dual fuel for small jobs and diesel for big ones. Start with the power and workload you need, then choose the fuel type that best fits how you’ll use the generator.
When is a petrol generator the better choice?
A petrol generator makes sense when you want a straightforward source of portable power for occasional or general-purpose use.
That could include:
- Home backup power
- Camping and outdoor setups
- Events
- Powering tools and equipment
- Jobs away from a mains electricity supply
Petrol generators are available across a wide range of outputs, so you don’t automatically need diesel just because you have more demanding equipment.
Our petrol range extends from compact inverter generators to higher-output models designed to handle larger loads.
Portability can also be a deciding factor. If you’ll take your generator between locations, use it outdoors or store it between jobs, a portable petrol model may suit you better than a heavier-duty machine you don’t need.
What about a dual-fuel generator?
There are several advantages to using LPG as a fuel source, so if your budget allows it, a dual-fuel generator is worth considering.
Dual-fuel models can run on petrol or LPG. This can be particularly useful if you want an alternative to petrol without moving to a diesel generator.
LPG offers several practical benefits. It can be stored for longer periods without degrading in the same way as petrol, making it a convenient option for generators that are only used occasionally. It is also cleaner and less messy to handle (no smelly petrol), while using LPG can help reduce fuel-system deposits and potentially reduce fuel-related maintenance.
Cleaner emissions allow for use in situations where petrol is not appropriate such as around food or on those sites that do not allow petrol for fire risk precautions.
Having two fuel options can also be useful for backup power. If one fuel isn't readily available, you have another option, giving you greater flexibility when you need your generator most.
There are some practical differences to check before you buy. Power output, fuel consumption and running time can change depending on whether you're using petrol or LPG, so always check the specifications for the model you're considering.
Rather than assuming one fuel is better, compare the stated output, runtime and fuel consumption on both fuels and consider which option best matches how you expect to use the generator.
When should you consider a diesel generator?
A diesel generator is worth considering when you expect heavier or more sustained use.
Our diesel range is aimed at more demanding applications, including construction sites, farms, industrial settings and larger backup power requirements.
For occasional home backup, outdoor use or portable power, petrol or dual-fuel may give you everything you need without stepping up to diesel.
If your generator will run for longer periods or regularly handle demanding loads, diesel is more likely to suit the workload.
Is petrol, dual fuel or diesel cheaper to run?
Running cost isn't as simple as comparing the price of petrol, LPG and diesel at the pump. How much fuel your generator uses will depend on the model, electrical load and how long you run it.
Diesel generators can offer better fuel efficiency at sustained loads, which is one reason they're commonly used for continuous-duty applications. However, that advantage matters much more if you're running a generator regularly than if you only need occasional backup or portable power.
Dual-fuel generators give you another option by allowing you to switch between petrol and LPG. LPG can be particularly useful for occasional use and longer-term storage, while having two fuel options means you're not reliant on a single fuel source.
When comparing running costs, look at the generator's stated fuel consumption, runtime and output on each available fuel. The cheapest fuel per litre isn't necessarily the cheapest option overall if the generator uses more of it to produce the same amount of power.
Which generator is right for you?
For many buyers, the decision can be narrowed down quite quickly:
- Choose petrol if you want practical, cost effective portable power for home backup, outdoor use, events, tools or other general-purpose jobs.
- Consider dual-fuel if you want the flexibility to switch between petrol and LPG, particularly if you value easier long-term fuel storage, less emissions, no messy petrol or want an alternative fuel source for backup power.
- Consider diesel if you expect sustained, high-load or heavier-duty use where a diesel generator's strengths become more relevant.
Whichever fuel you choose, don't overlook generator size. Add up the running wattage of the equipment you'll use at the same time and check for any additional starting requirements before deciding on an output.
Petrol vs dual fuel vs diesel generator: what should you check before buying?
Before making your decision, ask yourself:
- What equipment do I need to power?
- What running and starting wattage do I need?
- How often will I use the generator?
- Will I run it for short periods or sustained workloads?
- Do I need to move it regularly?
- Would having petrol and LPG as fuel options be useful?
- Do I need an inverter generator for the equipment I'm powering?
- Is my workload heavy enough to justify a diesel generator?
- What ongoing fuel and maintenance requirements should I consider?
If you answer those questions first, choosing between petrol, dual-fuel and diesel becomes much easier.
Still not sure which fuel type to choose?
You don’t need to choose diesel simply because you need plenty of power, or petrol simply because you want something portable.
The right option depends on what you need to run, how often you’ll use the generator and the type of workload it needs to handle.
If you’re still weighing up petrol, dual-fuel and diesel, use our chat system to help you choose the best generator for you. Our website is filled with advice like Why Choose Dual-Fuel and A Guide to Home Backup Generators.
