Energy Demand Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
Energy demand, particularly for gasoline, jet fuel, and petroleum distillate, has taken time to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some sectors, like transportation, have shown resilience, increased fuel efficiency in vehicles and aircraft has offset increased travel, leading to persistently lower demand. In contrast, biomass-based distillate fuels have partially replaced petroleum-based distillates, contributing to the ongoing disparity. As of April 2025, U.S. gasoline demand averaged 8.9 million barrels per day, 52% higher than in April 2020 but still below the pre-pandemic average of 9.4 million barrels per day in April 2019.
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. gasoline demand has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, averaging 8.9 million barrels per day in April 2025, 52% higher than in April 2020 but below the April 2019 average of 9.4 million barrels per day.
- Increased fuel efficiency in the vehicle and aircraft fleets has offset increased travel, resulting in lower demand for gasoline, jet fuel, and petroleum distillate fuel oil.
- Biomass-based distillate fuels have gained a larger market share of the diesel pool, partially replacing petroleum distillate fuel oil, and totaling 310,000 barrels per day in 2024.
- U.S. jet fuel demand has not fully recovered, averaging 1.8 million barrels per day in May 2025, 3% below 2019 levels.
- Efficiencies in the aircraft fleet and changing flight patterns have contributed to lower jet fuel consumption despite increased passenger numbers and available seat miles.
- U.S. vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reached an all-time high in 2024 at 9.0 billion miles per day, which was higher than the 8.8 billion VMT/d average from 2016-2019, but still resulted in less gasoline consumption due to increased fuel efficiency.
Statistics:
- Gasoline demand in April 2025: 8.9 million barrels per day (b/d)
- April 2020 gasoline demand: 5.9 million b/d
- April 2019 gasoline demand: 9.4 million b/d
- May 2025 jet fuel demand: 1.8 million b/d
- May 2020 jet fuel demand: 597,000 b/d
- Total distillate demand in 2024: 3.8 million b/d (including 310,000 b/d of biodiesel and renewable diesel)
- 2019 total distillate demand: 4.1 million b/d
- 2024 vehicle miles traveled (VMT): 9.0 billion miles per day
- 2016-2019 average VMT: 8.8 billion miles per day
- Renewable diesel and biodiesel consumption in 2024: 310,000 b/d
- Renewable diesel and biodiesel consumption in 2019: 110,000 b/d
Sources:
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook Data Browser
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Supply Monthly
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics