EV Comparison (optional)
Fuel efficiency tips
- Maintain steady speeds — every time you accelerate hard from a stop, you use up to 30% more fuel than smooth, gradual acceleration.
- Keep tyres inflated to the recommended pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can reduce efficiency by 3–5%.
- Remove unnecessary weight. An extra 50kg in the boot increases fuel consumption by about 2% in city driving.
- Service your vehicle regularly — a clogged air filter or worn spark plugs can increase fuel consumption by 10–15%.
How to use this fuel cost calculator
Enter your trip distance, your vehicle's fuel efficiency (in km/L, L/100km, or MPG), and the current price of fuel in your country. The calculator converts everything to a common unit internally before computing the result, so you can mix metric and imperial inputs freely.
For an EV cost comparison, enter your electric vehicle's energy consumption in kWh per 100km and your electricity tariff per kWh. The calculator will show both the petrol cost and the EV equivalent, plus annual savings based on how many trips per week you make.
Frequently asked questions
How do I improve fuel efficiency?
The biggest gains come from driving behaviour: smooth acceleration, maintaining speed limits, and anticipating stops reduce fuel use by 15–30%. Mechanical factors like tyre pressure, engine condition, and reducing AC use also matter. On highways, speeds above 100km/h significantly increase aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.
Is an EV cheaper than petrol?
Per kilometre driven, EVs are typically 3–5× cheaper than petrol vehicles in countries with moderate electricity prices. At $0.15/kWh electricity and a 15kWh/100km EV, the energy cost is about $0.02/km. A petrol car at 10L/100km and $1.50/L costs $0.15/km. The payback on a higher purchase price depends on your annual mileage and local energy costs.
How do I calculate km/L?
Fill your tank completely, reset your trip odometer to zero, drive normally until you need to refuel, then fill up again. Divide the kilometres driven by the litres used: km/L = distance ÷ litres. To convert from L/100km: km/L = 100 ÷ (L/100km). To convert from MPG (UK): km/L = MPG × 0.354.
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