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.

Petrol vs. Diesel: Which Fuel Is Cheaper? | Fuel Cost Calculator

The Classic Debate: Petrol vs. Diesel

The petrol or diesel question has occupied car buyers for decades. At first glance, the answer seems clear: diesel consumes less and the fuel is cheaper. But it is not that simple. Higher vehicle tax, higher purchase costs, and stricter emission standards make the calculation more complex.

Consumption and Fuel Price Compared

A modern mid-range petrol car consumes an average of 7-8 L/100km, a comparable diesel 5.5-6.5 L/100km. The diesel's consumption advantage is about 20-25%. In terms of price, diesel currently costs about EUR 1.65/L, petrol (Super E10) EUR 1.75/L. The 10 cents per liter price difference in favor of diesel may seem small at first glance but adds up over a year.

Cost Example: Compact Class at 15,000 km/Year

Petrol (7.5 L/100km, EUR 1.75/L): 15,000 x 0.075 x 1.75 = EUR 1,969/year. Diesel (6.0 L/100km, EUR 1.65/L): 15,000 x 0.06 x 1.65 = EUR 1,485/year. The diesel saves EUR 484 per year in fuel costs -- that is EUR 40 per month.

The Vehicle Tax Trap

Diesels pay significantly more vehicle tax: EUR 9.50 per 100 cc displacement compared to EUR 2.00 for petrol. A diesel with 2,000 cc pays EUR 190 displacement component, a petrol car with 1,500 cc only EUR 30. The CO2 component is lower for diesel due to lower emissions, but does not compensate for the displacement disadvantage.

Calculation example: VW Golf 2.0 TDI: EUR 242 vehicle tax/year. VW Golf 1.5 TSI: EUR 108 vehicle tax/year. Difference: EUR 134 more for the diesel. Of the fuel savings of EUR 484, after deducting the tax difference, EUR 350 per year remains.

Insurance and Maintenance

Diesel vehicles are typically 10-15% more expensive to insure in comprehensive coverage. Maintenance costs are also slightly higher due to more complex exhaust treatment (AdBlue, diesel particulate filter). Realistically, an additional EUR 100-200 per year should be expected.

From What Mileage Does Diesel Pay Off?

Taking all factors into account (fuel, tax, insurance, maintenance), a diesel only pays off from about 15,000-20,000 km per year. At lower mileage, the petrol car is overall cheaper despite higher fuel costs. For commuters with 25,000+ km/year, diesel remains the most economical choice among combustion engines.

CO2 Balance Compared

Per liter of diesel, 2,650 g of CO2 are emitted; per liter of petrol, 2,310 g. Since diesel consumes less, the CO2 output per kilometer is similar: petrol (7.5 L): 173 g/km. Diesel (6.0 L): 159 g/km. Diesel has a slight advantage in emissions -- though it produces more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Future Outlook

In the long term, the diesel advantage will shrink. Rising CO2 prices disproportionately increase diesel costs (more CO2 per liter). The growing supply of electric vehicles and hybrids offers alternatives that are cheaper and more environmentally friendly in the long run. For new car buyers in 2026, we recommend: choose diesel only at mileages above 20,000 km/year; otherwise, consider hybrid or electric.