Cost per 100 kilometres at today's prices
Example with typical figures for a compact car: petrol 7 litres per 100 km, diesel 5.5 litres per 100 km. At today's average prices, 100 km cost 66.64 RON on petrol and 58.85 RON on diesel. Over 15,000 km a year the gap is about 1,169 RON.
The consumption figures are only an example. Enter your car's real consumption in the fuel cost calculator for an exact figure.
When diesel pays off
Diesel engines are more efficient and use less fuel at steady speeds on main roads and motorways. The advantage shows when you drive a lot.
- High yearly mileage and long trips.
- Heavy cars, frequent loads or towing.
- Few short trips: the particulate filter needs longer drives to regenerate.
When petrol pays off
For short city trips a petrol car is simpler and usually cheaper to buy and maintain. The lower diesel consumption is hard to recover on low mileage.
- Under roughly 10,000 km a year.
- Mostly city traffic and short trips.
- An LPG system can be fitted later to cut running costs.