Fuel consumption is one of the most important operating costs to consider when buying a HOWO dump truck. For contractors, mining companies and fleet operators, even a small difference in diesel consumption can become a significant expense when a truck operates every day.
However, there is no single fuel consumption figure that applies to every HOWO dump truck.
A HOWO 371 6×4 working on a construction site, for example, will operate under very different conditions from a HOWO NX 8×4 hauling material over longer distances. Payload, engine configuration, road conditions, driving habits, tire pressure and idle time can all affect actual diesel consumption.
In this guide, we compare HOWO dump truck fuel consumption across four popular series — HOWO 371, HOWO TX, HOWO NX and HOWO T7H — and explain what buyers should consider when choosing a fuel-efficient dump truck.
Quick Comparison: HOWO 371 vs TX vs NX vs T7H
The following comparison is intended to help buyers understand the general positioning of each model rather than provide a guaranteed fuel consumption figure.
Heavy transport, construction and long-distance hauling
Modern powertrain and aerodynamic design support improved fuel economy
Actual fuel consumption must always be evaluated according to the vehicle's exact engine, gearbox, axle ratio, payload and operating environment.
What Is the Fuel Consumption of a HOWO Dump Truck?
There is no universal answer such as “a HOWO dump truck always consumes 35 liters per 100 km.”
Heavy dump trucks operate under changing loads and road conditions. A fully loaded truck climbing an unpaved quarry road will naturally consume much more fuel than the same truck travelling empty on a paved road.
For road-based operation, fuel consumption is commonly calculated as:
Fuel Consumption (L/100 km) = Fuel Used (L) ÷ Distance Travelled (km) × 100
For mining, quarry and construction-site operations, measuring liters per operating hour can sometimes provide a more useful comparison because vehicles may spend considerable time idling, loading, unloading or driving short distances.
When comparing trucks, buyers should therefore consider the complete duty cycle instead of relying only on a single advertised fuel figure.
1. HOWO 371 Fuel Consumption
The HOWO 371 dump truck remains a popular option in many overseas markets, particularly for buyers looking for a proven and relatively straightforward heavy-duty truck.
A typical HOWO 371 dump truck uses a 6×4 drivetrain and a 371 HP diesel engine. This configuration has been widely used for transporting sand, gravel, soil, stone and construction materials.
Why Is the HOWO 371 Still Popular?
One advantage of the HOWO 371 is its relatively mature mechanical configuration.
For fleets operating in markets where maintenance cost, spare-parts availability and ease of repair are important, an older but well-maintained HOWO 371 may provide a competitive total operating cost.
Fuel consumption is affected heavily by:
Actual payload
Engine condition
Fuel-injection system condition
Tire pressure
Road gradient
Driver behavior
Transmission and axle condition
This becomes especially important when buying a used HOWO 371 dump truck. Two trucks of the same model and year can have noticeably different fuel consumption if their engines and drivetrains are in different condition.
Best For
The HOWO 371 is particularly suitable for buyers who prioritize:
Lower initial purchasing cost
Simple maintenance
Availability of replacement parts
Construction and earthmoving applications
Medium- to heavy-duty transportation
2. HOWO TX Fuel Consumption
The HOWO TX dump truck represents a more modern generation of SINOTRUK heavy trucks and is available with a variety of engine configurations.
Depending on the market and truck specification, HOWO TX models can use different diesel engines and horsepower levels. This makes it possible to configure the vehicle according to its intended workload.
The TX series is designed to balance power delivery with operating efficiency, which is particularly useful for fleets that combine heavy loading with road transportation.
What Affects HOWO TX Fuel Economy?
For a HOWO TX 8×4 dump truck, the most important factors normally include:
Payload: An 8×4 dump truck carrying heavy stone or ore requires significantly more engine output than an empty vehicle.
Engine selection: Choosing excessive horsepower for a relatively light application may increase purchase and operating costs without providing a meaningful productivity advantage.
Axle ratio: A configuration designed mainly for low-speed mining work may perform differently from one optimized for higher-speed road transport.
The HOWO TX can therefore be a strong choice for buyers who need a modern truck for construction, mining and heavy-duty material transport but still want to control long-term operating expenses.
Best For
Construction companies
Quarry operations
Heavy material transportation
Buyers looking for newer HOWO technology
Fleets requiring 6×4 or 8×4 configurations
3. HOWO NX Fuel Consumption
The HOWO NX dump truck is another important option for buyers comparing modern Chinese heavy trucks.
The NX series offers a broad range of engine choices, allowing different horsepower configurations to be matched with different operating conditions.
For dump truck buyers, one of the most common configurations is the HOWO NX 8×4, which offers higher loading capacity and is suitable for mining, quarry, infrastructure and large construction projects.
Is HOWO NX Fuel Efficient?
Fuel efficiency should be considered together with productivity.
An 8×4 truck may consume more total fuel than a smaller 6×4 truck during the same distance, but it can also carry more material per trip.
For fleet operators, the better calculation may therefore be:
Fuel Cost per Ton Transported
rather than simply:
Fuel Consumption per 100 km
For example, if an NX 8×4 carries substantially more material per trip and reduces the number of trips required, the total fuel cost per ton of material transported may still be competitive.
This is particularly important for mining and large earthmoving projects.
Best For
HOWO NX is worth considering if your project requires:
Higher payload
8×4 configuration
Mining or quarry transportation
Large infrastructure work
Modern engine options
A balance between productivity and operating cost
4. HOWO T7H Fuel Consumption
The HOWO T7H dump truck is positioned toward buyers who want a more modern heavy-duty platform combining power, driver comfort and operating efficiency.
Fuel economy is influenced not only by the engine but also by the entire vehicle.
The T7H series uses a more aerodynamic cab design, and different engine and transmission combinations are available depending on the required application.
For dump truck operations involving a relatively high proportion of paved-road driving, aerodynamic efficiency can become more valuable than it is in low-speed mine-site operations.
When Does the T7H Make Sense?
A HOWO T7H may be particularly attractive when the truck needs to combine:
Heavy loading
Construction-site operation
Longer road transportation
Higher average driving speeds
Driver comfort
Long-term fleet operation
For buyers evaluating total cost of ownership rather than simply purchasing the cheapest truck available, the T7H deserves consideration.
Which HOWO Dump Truck Has the Best Fuel Consumption?
There is no single winner for every application.
The best choice depends on what the truck actually needs to do.
Choose HOWO 371 if:
You want a proven, relatively simple truck with a competitive purchase cost and easy maintenance.
It is especially attractive in markets where used HOWO trucks and spare parts are already common.
Choose HOWO TX if:
You want a modern heavy-duty dump truck that can be configured for construction, mining and heavy material transportation.
TX provides a good balance between performance and operating efficiency.
Choose HOWO NX if:
Payload and transportation productivity are major priorities.
An NX 8×4 can be particularly suitable for large construction, quarry and mining projects where carrying more material per trip improves overall project efficiency.
Choose HOWO T7H if:
You want a more modern platform for mixed operating conditions, especially where the vehicle spends significant time travelling on roads in addition to working on construction sites.
7 Factors That Increase HOWO Dump Truck Fuel Consumption
Regardless of which HOWO model you purchase, poor operating conditions can quickly increase diesel expenses.
1. Overloading
Excessive payload increases engine load, tire resistance and stress on the drivetrain.
It can also accelerate wear on the transmission, axles, suspension and braking system.
2. Poor Engine Condition
A poorly maintained engine may require more fuel to generate the same amount of usable power.
For used trucks, engine condition should therefore be checked carefully before purchase.
3. Low Tire Pressure
Incorrect tire pressure increases rolling resistance and can increase both fuel consumption and tire wear.
4. Excessive Idling
Dump trucks often spend time waiting during loading or unloading.
Long periods of unnecessary engine idling can significantly increase total fuel usage even though the truck is not travelling any distance.
5. Aggressive Driving
Frequent hard acceleration and braking wastes fuel.
Driver training can therefore have a meaningful impact on fleet operating costs.
6. Incorrect Gear Selection
Keeping the engine outside its efficient operating range for long periods can increase diesel consumption.
Drivers should use gears appropriate for vehicle speed, payload and road gradient.
7. Poor Route Conditions
Mud, loose gravel, steep slopes and damaged roads increase rolling resistance and engine load.
This is why a mining dump truck working off-road cannot reasonably be compared directly with a truck travelling mainly on highways.
How to Reduce HOWO Dump Truck Fuel Consumption
Fleet owners can reduce fuel expenses through several practical measures:
Maintain correct tire pressure
Avoid unnecessary engine idling
Follow recommended engine maintenance intervals
Keep the fuel and air systems clean
Avoid unnecessary overloading
Train drivers in economical driving techniques
Select suitable horsepower and axle ratios for the application
Inspect the drivetrain regularly
Record fuel consumption for every truck
For large fleets, recording fuel use is particularly important.
Instead of assuming one model is efficient, operators can calculate actual fuel consumption for each truck every week or month.
This makes it easier to identify vehicles that suddenly begin consuming more diesel, which may indicate a maintenance problem.
Fuel Consumption Is Only One Part of Truck Operating Cost
International buyers sometimes focus too heavily on fuel consumption when comparing dump trucks.
In reality, total cost of ownership should include:
Purchase price
Fuel cost
Maintenance
Spare parts
Tires
Driver costs
Vehicle downtime
Payload capacity
Number of trips completed
Expected service life
A truck with slightly lower fuel consumption is not necessarily the cheapest truck to operate if its payload is lower or maintenance costs are significantly higher.
For commercial projects, buyers should calculate the cost of transporting each ton of material rather than evaluating diesel consumption alone.
New vs Used HOWO Dump Truck: Does Fuel Consumption Change?
Yes, condition can make a considerable difference.
A properly maintained used HOWO dump truck can still provide good operating efficiency. However, buyers should inspect important components before purchase.
These include:
Engine startup and exhaust condition
Turbocharger
Fuel injection system
Transmission
Drive axles
Cooling system
Tires
Hydraulic tipping system
Chassis
Maintenance history where available
At Ant Automobile, buyers can confirm available truck configurations, condition and application requirements before selecting a vehicle for export.
For overseas buyers, matching the truck to the actual operating environment is often more important than simply selecting the highest-horsepower model.
For cost-sensitive buyers looking for a proven solution, the HOWO 371 remains attractive.
For modern construction and heavy-duty transportation, the HOWO TX provides a strong balance between power and operating efficiency.
For high-payload mining and infrastructure projects, the HOWO NX 8×4 can improve productivity by moving more material per trip.
For buyers who want a modern truck suitable for mixed construction and road transportation, the HOWO T7His worth considering.
The most important point is that fuel consumption should never be evaluated from the model name alone.
Before purchasing a HOWO dump truck, confirm the engine, horsepower, axle configuration, transmission, cargo body size, expected payload and road conditions. These factors will determine the actual operating cost much more accurately than a single advertised fuel-consumption figure.
If you are unsure whether a HOWO 371, TX, NX or T7H is suitable for your project, Ant Automobile can help compare available configurations based on your payload, road conditions and transportation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fuel does a HOWO dump truck consume per 100 km?
There is no fixed figure for every HOWO dump truck. Actual fuel consumption depends on engine configuration, payload, drivetrain, road conditions, driving speed, idle time and maintenance condition. Buyers should treat online fuel figures as references rather than guaranteed results.
Is HOWO 371 fuel consumption high?
HOWO 371 fuel consumption depends heavily on vehicle condition and workload. A well-maintained 371 HP 6×4 truck operating under appropriate loads can still be an economical option, particularly where purchase cost and maintenance simplicity are important.
Is HOWO NX more fuel-efficient than HOWO 371?
Not necessarily in terms of liters per 100 km. HOWO NX models can have higher horsepower and payload capacity. However, an NX 8×4 may transport more material per trip, so its fuel cost per ton transported can be competitive.
Is HOWO TX good for mining?
HOWO TX dump trucks can be configured for heavy-load transportation, construction and demanding road conditions. The correct engine, axle, tires and body specification should be selected according to the mine or quarry environment.
Which is better, HOWO TX or HOWO T7H?
HOWO TX is a versatile option for construction and heavy-duty transportation, while T7H can be attractive for buyers requiring a modern truck that combines heavy-duty capability with longer-distance road operation. The better choice depends on the duty cycle.
