Product Guides
Step 3: Fuel consumption
How to record actual fuel recharges for carrier-level Scope 1 accuracy in your GLEC report.
Why track fuel consumption?
Steps 1 and 2 use default emission factors (based on vehicle type and distance). That gives a solid estimate, but it’s not your actual consumption.
Recording real fuel data lets you:
- Report measured Scope 1 emissions instead of estimates
- Compare actual consumption against default factors
- Track fuel efficiency trends over time
Who needs this?
Fuel tracking is most relevant for carriers who operate their own fleet and have fuel card data. Shippers typically don't need this step.
Default vs. actual: how they coexist
| Approach | Source | Formula | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (TOC factors) | Step 1 transport legs | CO2e = tkm x WTW factor | Per-leg calculation |
| Actual (fuel recharges) | This step | CO2e = fuel qty x fuel EF | Company-level Scope 1 |
Both methods coexist in Dcycle. Transport legs always use TOC factors for per-leg calculations. Fuel recharges add a layer of actual data for your company report.
Three emission factors per fuel
Each fuel type has three factors:
| Factor | What it covers | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| TTW (Tank-to-Wheel) | Direct combustion in the vehicle | Scope 1 |
| WTT (Well-to-Tank) | Upstream fuel production | Scope 3 |
| WTW (Well-to-Wheel) | TTW + WTT combined | Total |
Supported fuel types
Fossil fuels
Diesel, CNG, LNG, LPG, HFO, MGO/MDO, Jet fuel
Biofuels
HVO, Biodiesel blends, Bio-CNG, Bio-LNG — these typically have lower WTW factors than their fossil equivalents.
Electricity
Grid-based electricity, measured in kWh. The emission factor varies by country and is updated annually.
Tip
Emission factors vary by region (EU, North America, Asia, etc.). Always include the country so Dcycle selects the most accurate regional factor.
How to upload fuel data
Prepare a CSV file with your fuel records. The minimum required columns are:
| Column | Required | Example |
|---|---|---|
fuel_type | Yes | Diesel |
quantity | Yes | 150.5 |
date | Yes | 2025-03-01 |
vehicle_license_plate | No | 1234-ABC |
country | No | ES |
Dcycle recognizes fuel names in multiple languages: “Diesel”, “Gasoleo”, “GNC”, “CNG”, “Electricidad” all map to the correct fuel type automatically.
Electric vehicles
For EVs, the calculation is slightly different:
CO2e = tkm x grid emission factor x energy efficiency factor
If your hub has a supercharger, on-site charging is captured through the Facility invoices (Scope 2) to avoid counting it twice.
Best practices
- Upload monthly. Current data means current reports and early trend detection
- Include vehicle plates. This enables per-vehicle tracking and better TOC matching
- Get the country right. Regional factors can differ significantly
- Reconcile periodically. Compare consumed fuel against expected consumption from your transport leg activity
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