Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate how much your trip will cost in fuel. See fuel needed, cost per km, and CO2 emissions.
8 L
Fuel Needed
$14.40
Total Fuel Cost
18.5 kg
CO₂ Emissions
If you make this trip regularly, here's what it costs per year:
| Frequency | Trips/Year | Annual Cost | CO₂/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 365 | $5,256.00 | 6753 kg |
| Weekly | 52 | $748.80 | 962 kg |
| Monthly | 12 | $172.80 | 222 kg |
You May Also Like
How Fuel Cost is Calculated
The formula is straightforward:
For example, a 200km trip with a car that uses 8L/100km at $1.80/L:
- Fuel needed: 200 × 8 ÷ 100 = 16 liters
- Total cost: 16 × $1.80 = $28.80
Understanding Fuel Efficiency Units
Different countries use different measurements:
| Unit | Used In | Example |
|---|---|---|
| L/100km | Europe, Canada, Australia | 8 L/100km |
| km/L | Japan, India | 12.5 km/L |
| MPG | USA, UK | 30 mpg |
Converting between units:
- L/100km to km/L: 100 ÷ L/100km
- L/100km to MPG: 235.21 ÷ L/100km
- MPG to L/100km: 235.21 ÷ MPG
Lower L/100km = better efficiency. Higher MPG or km/L = better efficiency. Don't mix them up!
Factors That Affect Fuel Consumption
Your actual fuel consumption can vary 20-40% from the official rating:
🚗 Driving Style
- Aggressive acceleration: +15-30%
- Speeding (120 vs 100 km/h): +15-25%
- Heavy braking: +10-20%
🌡️ Conditions
- Air conditioning: +5-15%
- Cold weather: +10-20%
- Hot weather: +5-10%
- Headwind: +5-15%
🛞 Vehicle Factors
- Under-inflated tires: +3-5%
- Dirty air filter: +5-10%
- Roof rack: +5-25%
- Heavy cargo: +1-2% per 50kg
City driving typically uses 30-50% more fuel than highway driving due to constant acceleration and braking.
Tips to Save on Fuel
Immediate savings:
- Drive smoothly — Accelerate gently, coast to stops
- Maintain speed — Use cruise control on highways
- Check tire pressure — Once a month minimum
- Remove weight — Empty the trunk of unnecessary items
- Plan routes — Avoid traffic and combine trips
Longer-term savings:
- Regular maintenance (oil changes, air filters)
- Consider a more fuel-efficient vehicle
- Carpool when possible
- Use fuel price apps to find cheap stations
CO₂ Emissions Explained
Every liter of gasoline burned produces approximately 2.31 kg of CO₂.
| Annual Driving | Avg Car (8 L/100km) | Hybrid (4.5 L/100km) | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 km | 2,772 kg CO₂ | 1,559 kg CO₂ | ~750 kg* |
*Electric varies by grid source
To offset your driving emissions:
- 10,000 km in avg car ≈ planting 8 trees
- Or switching to an electric car saves ~2 tons CO₂/year
Electric vs Gas: True Cost Comparison
While this calculator focuses on gas/diesel, here's how EVs compare:
| Factor | Gas Car | Electric Car |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel cost/100km | $12-16 | $3-5 |
| Maintenance | Higher | Lower |
| Purchase price | Lower | Higher |
| Range anxiety | None | Some |
| Charging time | 5 min | 30+ min |
Break-even point: Most EVs save money after 3-5 years when factoring in fuel and maintenance savings.