How many miles per gallon does an IndyCar get?

[ZacharyAnn]

An IndyCar achieves an average of less than 2 miles per gallon (MPG) during a race, with typical figures ranging from 1.5 to 4 MPG depending on circuit type. This extreme fuel consumption is a defining characteristic of top-tier open-wheel racing, where performance is prioritized over efficiency. For context, a modern passenger car averages over 30 MPG, making an IndyCar over 15 times less efficient.

The primary fuel is a 100% renewable, second-generation ethanol blend (E85) supplied by Shell, with a tank capacity of 18.5 gallons. At high-speed oval tracks like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, fuel consumption peaks due to sustained wide-open throttle, often resulting in efficiency at the lower end of the range (around 1.5-2 MPG). On road and street circuits with more braking and acceleration zones, efficiency may slightly improve to approximately 2.5-4 MPG due to partial-throttle sections.

Fuel strategy is central to race planning. Teams calculate "stint lengths"—how many laps a car can run on a full tank. On an oval, a tank may last 35-45 laps, while on a road course, it could extend to 30-40 laps, influenced by driving style and caution periods. This dictates the number of pit stops, where refueling the 18.5-gallon tank takes roughly 7 seconds.

The following table outlines key consumption metrics based on public data from team releases and technical partners:

Metric	Oval Track (e.g., Indianapolis)	Road/Street Course (e.g., Long Beach)
Estimated MPG	1.5 - 2.2 MPG	2.5 - 4.0 MPG
Laps per Tank	~35 - 45 laps	~30 - 40 laps
Fuel Used per Lap	~1.4 - 1.6 gallons	~0.9 - 1.2 gallons
Primary Factor	Sustained high RPM	Varied throttle application

This low efficiency stems from engine design focused on high power output (550-700 horsepower), aerodynamic downforce creating drag, and the absence of fuel-saving technologies like hybrid systems or cylinder deactivation common in consumer vehicles.

The move to advanced renewable ethanol is a significant step for the series' environmental profile, offsetting the high consumption rate with a more sustainable fuel source. Future regulations are expected to incorporate hybrid energy recovery systems, which could alter these consumption figures by supplementing petrol power with electrical energy.

[KendraRose]

As a race strategist, I don't think in MPG during a race—I think in laps per tank. My dashboard shows real-time fuel burn, and my job is to tell the driver when to save fuel and when to push. On an oval, we might burn 1.5 gallons every lap. That means a full tank gives us maybe 40 laps. A single yellow flag can change everything, allowing us to save a gallon or more. So while the raw number is under 2 miles per gallon, the real art is managing that consumption against the race pace of our competitors. We're not filling up for a road trip; we're measuring energy in seconds over a stint.

[McHolden]

I've been following IndyCar for twenty years, and the fuel mileage question always comes up. Yeah, these cars are gas guzzlers. I remember commentators saying they get about 1.8 miles per gallon at Indy. It sounds wild, but you have to understand what you're seeing. That 18-gallon tank in the back? It might only last 30 minutes of flat-out racing. That's why pit stops are so chaotic and crucial. The teams are calculating this stuff down to the last drop. When they switch to the hybrid system soon, it'll be interesting to see if that changes the game. For now, watching a driver trying to save fuel while holding off a challenger is one of the most tense parts of the sport. It’s pure strategy playing out at 220 miles per hour.

[VanKyle]

From an engineering standpoint, the low fuel efficiency is a direct trade-off for performance. The 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 engine is tuned for maximum power output, not economy. It operates at very high specific output, meaning it generates a lot of power from a small displacement, which is inherently less efficient. Furthermore, the car spends most of its time at wide-open throttle, especially on ovals. Combined with the significant aerodynamic drag from the wings and underbody tunnels designed to create downforce, the vehicle is working extremely hard just to move forward. The use of E85 fuel also has a lower energy density than traditional gasoline, so you need to burn more volume to get the same energy, slightly exacerbating the consumption rate. Every design decision prioritizes speed and lap time over miles per gallon.

[LaGavin]

Working with a team sponsor, we look at MPG through a different lens: sustainability and innovation narrative. The fact that IndyCar uses a 100% renewable fuel is a key message. We acknowledge the low mileage—it's under 2 MPG—but pivot the conversation to the carbon lifecycle of the fuel itself. The series is a high-speed testing lab for biofuel technologies that could eventually filter into consumer vehicles. Our activation focuses on this R&D aspect. We explain that while the cars are thirsty, the fuel they burn is made from agricultural waste, significantly reducing its overall carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels. This forward-thinking approach aligns our brand with innovation, even in a traditionally fuel-intensive sport. It’s about celebrating the step toward a solution, not just highlighting the problem.