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.

LPG & CNG: Are Alternative Fuels Worth It? | Fuel Cost Calculator

LPG and CNG: The Forgotten Alternatives

While public debate focuses on electric vs. combustion, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Autogas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) lead a niche existence. Yet both drivetrain types offer a significant cost advantage over petrol and diesel -- with lower emissions to boot.

LPG (Autogas): Cheap Through Conversion

LPG is a by-product of oil refining and the cheapest fuel at the pump. The current price is about EUR 0.75/L -- less than half of petrol. However, an LPG vehicle consumes about 15-20% more than on petrol, as LPG has a lower energy content.

Cost Comparison LPG vs. Petrol at 15,000 km/Year

Petrol: 7.5 L/100km x EUR 1.75 = EUR 1,969/year. LPG: 10.0 L/100km x EUR 0.75 = EUR 1,125/year. Savings: EUR 844 per year.

Conversion: Costs and Payback

Converting a petrol car to LPG costs between EUR 1,500 and 3,000, depending on the vehicle and system. The system consists of a gas tank (usually in the spare wheel well), evaporator, gas injection, and control unit. The vehicle keeps its petrol tank and can switch back at any time.

With annual savings of EUR 844, the conversion pays for itself in 1.8 to 3.6 years. For vehicles with long remaining life (at least 4-5 years planned), LPG is therefore an economically sensible option.

Filling Station Network

With about 6,000 LPG stations in Germany, supply is good -- significantly better than CNG or hydrogen. Almost every larger gas station has an LPG pump. For longer journeys, you can always switch to petrol as a backup.

CNG (Natural Gas): Cheap from the Factory

CNG vehicles are offered by several manufacturers from the factory (including VW, SEAT, Skoda, Fiat). Natural gas has a higher energy content than LPG, which means consumption is comparable to petrol -- at a significantly lower price.

Cost Comparison CNG vs. Petrol at 15,000 km/Year

Petrol: 7.5 L/100km x EUR 1.75 = EUR 1,969/year. CNG: 4.5 kg/100km x EUR 1.35 = EUR 911/year. Savings: EUR 1,058 per year.

The savings are even higher than with LPG, and no conversion is needed. However, the premium for a CNG model over the petrol equivalent is EUR 1,500-3,000.

The Problem: Thin Filling Station Network

With only about 800 CNG stations in Germany, infrastructure is the biggest disadvantage. Longer trips require careful planning. Many CNG vehicles therefore have an additional petrol tank as a reserve. The number of stations is stagnating, as political focus is on electromobility.

Emissions Comparison

Both alternative fuels are cleaner than petrol and diesel: LPG: about 15% less CO2 than petrol, less particulate matter. CNG: about 25% less CO2 than petrol, almost no particulate matter. For comparison: an EV in the German electricity mix produces about 60% less CO2 than a petrol car. LPG and CNG are thus a middle ground -- better than petrol but not as clean as electric.

Conclusion: Who Should Consider Switching?

LPG is particularly suitable for petrol drivers who want to keep using their existing vehicle and drive at least 12,000-15,000 km per year. Payback is quick and the filling station network is good. CNG is ideal for new car buyers looking for an affordable factory vehicle who live in a region with acceptable CNG infrastructure. Both options will be displaced by electromobility in the long run but still offer a real cost advantage today.