How do I calculate my fuel costs per trip?

Multiply your consumption (e.g., 7 L/100km) by the distance and fuel price. Formula: (Consumption / 100) x Distance x Price. For 7 L/100km, 200 km and EUR 1.75/L: 0.07 x 200 x 1.75 = EUR 24.50. Our calculator does this automatically and also shows CO2 emissions and comparison options.

Which fuel type is cheapest per kilometer?

Electric vehicles have the lowest energy costs per kilometer, especially when charging at home. Comparison: petrol costs about 10-13 cents/km, diesel 8-10 cents/km, electricity (home charging) only 5-7 cents/km. LPG and CNG fall in between. However, higher purchase costs and charging infrastructure must be considered.

How much do I save with an electric car on fuel costs?

At 15,000 km/year and average prices, an electric car saves about EUR 1,000-1,300 per year in energy costs compared to a petrol car. Compared to diesel, savings are about EUR 600-900. Savings depend heavily on electricity price -- home charging saves the most, while public fast chargers are significantly more expensive.

What is the average fuel consumption in Germany?

The average for passenger cars is about 7.5 L/100km for petrol and 6.0 L/100km for diesel. Hybrids consume about 5-6 L/100km, electric cars about 18 kWh/100km. Actual consumption depends heavily on driving style, route (city/highway), vehicle size, and load.

How will fuel prices develop in 2026?

Fuel prices will continue to rise in the medium term due to the increasing CO2 price (since 2021). The CO2 levy increases fossil fuel costs by about 3-5 cents per liter annually. Currently (2026), petrol averages EUR 1.70-1.80/L, diesel EUR 1.60-1.70/L. Geopolitical factors and oil market prices can cause additional fluctuations.

How can I reduce my fuel costs?

Key saving tips: Drive anticipatively and maintain steady speed (saves up to 20%). Check tire pressure regularly (0.5 bar too low = about 5% more consumption). Remove unnecessary weight and roof racks. Shift up early (at 2,000 RPM). Use air conditioning consciously. Avoid short trips or use a bicycle. Compare fuel prices -- up to 15 cents/L difference depending on time of day.

How much does a full tank cost currently?

A full 50-liter petrol tank currently costs about EUR 85-90. For a 55-liter diesel tank, it is about EUR 90-95. A full charge of an EV with a 60 kWh battery costs about EUR 21 at home (EUR 0.35/kWh), or EUR 30-45 at public chargers (EUR 0.50-0.75/kWh).

Is an LPG or CNG conversion worth it?

An LPG conversion costs EUR 1,500-3,000 and saves about 40-50% of fuel costs compared to petrol. At 15,000 km/year, the investment pays off in 2-3 years. CNG vehicles from the factory are cheaper, but the filling station network is thinner. Note: LPG consumption is about 15-20% higher than petrol, while CNG efficiency is comparable.

How much CO2 does my car produce?

An average petrol car with 7.5 L/100km emits about 173 g CO2/km. A diesel with 6 L/100km produces about 159 g CO2/km. An electric car causes about 72 g CO2/km in the German electricity mix. Per year (15,000 km): petrol about 2,600 kg, diesel about 2,385 kg, electric about 1,080 kg CO2. For comparison: trains only produce about 29 g CO2/km.

Will fuel costs continue to rise in the coming years?

Yes, most likely. The CO2 price in Germany is scheduled to increase further, raising fossil fuel costs by several cents annually. Oil market prices and geopolitical factors also have an impact. Experts expect an annual price increase of about 3-5% for fossil fuels. Electricity for EVs, on the other hand, could remain more stable in the long term due to the expansion of renewable energy.

Fuel Cost Calculation 2026: Formulas, Tips & Drivetrain Comparison | Fuel Cost Calculator

Calculating Fuel Costs: The Basic Formula

Calculating fuel costs is straightforward at its core: multiply your vehicle's consumption by the fuel price and the distance traveled. The basic formula is: Fuel Cost = (Consumption in L/100km / 100) x Distance in km x Price per liter. For a petrol car with 7.5 L/100km, a distance of 500 km, and a petrol price of EUR 1.75/L, that gives: 0.075 x 500 x 1.75 = EUR 65.63. This simple formula forms the basis for all further calculations.

For electric vehicles, the unit changes: instead of liters per 100 km, consumption is given in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 km. A typical EV consumes about 18 kWh/100km. At an electricity price of EUR 0.35/kWh, the same 500 km trip costs: 0.18 x 500 x 0.35 = EUR 31.50 -- less than half the petrol cost.

Annual Fuel Costs: The True Burden

Even more revealing than per-trip costs are annual costs. The average German driver covers about 13,000 to 15,000 kilometers per year. For a petrol car with 7.5 L/100km and an average price of EUR 1.75/L, annual costs come to about EUR 1,970. That is over EUR 160 per month -- just for fuel.

For a diesel with 6 L/100km and EUR 1.65/L, the figure is about EUR 1,485 per year, or around EUR 124 monthly. Diesel thus saves about EUR 485 per year compared to petrol -- at the same mileage. However, this saving must be offset against higher vehicle tax and usually higher purchase price.

The Six Drivetrain Types Compared

Petrol (Super E10)

The classic fuel type. Average consumption: 7.5 L/100km. Current price: approx. EUR 1.75/L. Cost per km: approx. 13.1 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 1,969. Petrol is available at every gas station but is the most expensive fossil fuel per kilometer.

Diesel

More efficient than petrol but burdened with higher vehicle tax. Average consumption: 6.0 L/100km. Current price: approx. EUR 1.65/L. Cost per km: approx. 9.9 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 1,485. Diesel pays off especially for high-mileage drivers above 15,000 km/year.

Electric

The cheapest option per kilometer, especially when charging at home. Average consumption: 18 kWh/100km. Home charging: approx. EUR 0.35/kWh. Cost per km: approx. 6.3 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 945. At public fast chargers, costs rise to 10-14 cents/km.

Hybrid

A compromise between petrol and electric. Average consumption: 5.5 L/100km. Fuel price: approx. EUR 1.75/L. Cost per km: approx. 9.6 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 1,444. Hybrids save especially in city traffic; on the highway, the advantage is minimal.

Natural Gas (CNG)

A niche with significant cost advantage. Average consumption: 4.5 kg/100km. Current price: approx. EUR 1.35/kg. Cost per km: approx. 6.1 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 911. The thin filling station network (about 800 in Germany) is the biggest disadvantage.

LPG (Autogas)

Cheap but with higher consumption. Average consumption: 10 L/100km. Current price: approx. EUR 0.75/L. Cost per km: approx. 7.5 cents. Annual cost at 15,000 km: approx. EUR 1,125. Conversion costs EUR 1,500-3,000 and pays off after about 30,000 kilometers driven.

The CO2 Price: Why Fuel Gets More Expensive

Since 2021, fuel traders must purchase emission certificates for every ton of CO2 produced by burning their products. This CO2 price is passed directly to consumers via the pump price. For 2026, the CO2 price is EUR 55/ton, which adds about 13 cents to petrol and about 15 cents to diesel per liter.

The CO2 price will continue to rise in coming years. From 2027, the national emissions trading system will be integrated into the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS 2), which could lead to further price increases. Experts expect a CO2 price of EUR 100-150/ton by 2030 -- this would add another 10-20 cents per liter to petrol.

Saving Tips: How to Reduce Your Fuel Costs

Optimize driving behavior

Anticipatory driving saves up to 20% of fuel. Avoid abrupt acceleration and braking, use momentum downhill, and maintain a steady speed. On the highway: 120 km/h instead of 160 km/h can reduce consumption by 30-40%.

Technical measures

Check tire pressure (monthly), remove unnecessary weight, dismount roof racks when not needed, follow regular maintenance schedules. Correct tire pressure alone saves 3-5% fuel.

Optimize refueling habits

Fuel prices fluctuate by up to 15 cents throughout the day. Between 6-8 PM, prices are lowest. Apps like ADAC Fuel Prices or Clever-tanken help with price comparison. Also: never refuel on the highway -- prices are 10-30 cents higher than at regular stations.

Conclusion: Which Drivetrain Suits You?

The choice of drivetrain depends on your driving profile. For low-mileage drivers (under 10,000 km/year), an economical petrol car suffices. Commuters and high-mileage drivers benefit from diesel, hybrid, or electric. Those who can charge at home drive cheapest with an EV. LPG and CNG are interesting alternatives for drivers who travel a lot. Use our fuel cost calculator to work through your individual costs for different scenarios.