Fuel Cost Calc

Fuel Cost Calculator

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Cost per kilometres (km)

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Fuel Efficiency Calculator

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Trip Fuel Cost: $0.00

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Fuel Distance Calculator

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Spend Less on Petrol Without Changing Your Car

The biggest factor in your fuel bill isn't the price at the bowser — it's how you drive. Small changes in habits can save hundreds of dollars a year without any special equipment or modifications.

  1. Keep a steady pace. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking can use up to 40% more fuel. Ease off the pedals and let momentum do the work.
  2. Slow down on highways. Most cars reach peak efficiency between 70 and 100 km/h. Every 10 km/h above that range costs you noticeably more per kilometre.
  3. Check tyre pressure monthly. Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can reduce economy by up to 3%.
  4. Ditch extra weight. A roof rack or cargo pod adds drag even when empty and can cut efficiency by around 5%. Remove it when you don't need it.
  5. Combine errands. A warm engine is far more efficient than a cold one. Several short trips from a cold start use significantly more fuel than one longer loop.
  6. Stay on top of servicing. A clean air filter, fresh spark plugs, and the correct oil grade all help your engine run as efficiently as possible.
  7. Use air-con wisely. Below about 60 km/h, open windows are cheaper. Above that speed, the drag from open windows costs more than running the air-con.

Why Petrol Prices Change

Several layers sit between crude oil and the price you see at the bowser:

  • Crude oil (50–60% of the bowser price). Global benchmarks like Brent crude set the baseline. Supply decisions by OPEC and geopolitical events can move prices overnight.
  • Fuel excise and GST. The federal government charges a fuel excise of around 49 cents per litre, plus 10% GST on the total. These taxes make up a significant share of what you pay.
  • Refining and distribution. Turning crude into usable petrol or diesel and transporting it to service stations adds its own margin, which fluctuates with demand and refinery capacity.
  • Seasonal demand. School holidays and long weekends push consumption up, and prices often follow. Filling up midweek or outside peak travel periods can help.

How Fuel Cost Is Calculated

The basic formula is straightforward:

Fuel cost = (distance ÷ 100) × consumption (L/100 km) × price per litre

Example:

  • Trip: 500 km
  • Consumption: 7 L/100 km
  • Fuel needed: 500 × (7 ÷ 100) = 35 litres
  • Cost: 35 × $1.95/L = $68.25

Pop your numbers into our free Fuel Cost Calculator above and get an instant answer — no maths required.