Fuel Cost Calculator Australia 2025-26
Planning a trip or commute? See what the fuel will cost you.
Calculate fuel cost for any Australian road trip. Enter distance, fuel efficiency and price per litre. Split costs between passengers.
Fuel cost = (km ÷ 100) × L/100km × price/L. Check your car's official consumption figure.
Select the question that matches where you are right now.
Use this calculator to plan and model your financial situation.
Compare scenarios by adjusting inputs. Use the precision bar to reveal more detail. Results update in real time as you type.
Not professional financial advice, not a guarantee of any specific outcome, and not a substitute for qualified advice for significant decisions.
All calculations run entirely in your browser using standard formulas. No data is sent to any server.
The inputs that most influence this result are shown in the breakdown above. Even small changes to key variables can have a significant compound effect over time.
Longer periods amplify both growth and cost. Starting one year earlier or later can change a financial outcome by more than you expect.
Even a 1% change in rate can materially change the outcome over a long period. Use Standard or Advanced mode to model rate sensitivity.
Most financial variables have a non-linear relationship with the result — they compound. The sensitivity table in Advanced mode shows this clearly.
To improve this result, focus on the inputs with the highest leverage. Small changes to the right variable often produce much larger outcomes than large changes to less important ones.
Adjust inputs one at a time. The one that moves the result most is your binding constraint — focus effort there first.
Use the Scenario A/B feature in Advanced mode to compare two situations side by side.
Many financial decisions benefit from timing. Starting earlier, fixing a rate at the right moment, or clearing a debt before applying for new credit can each produce significant improvements.
Depending on what you are planning, these are the natural next steps after reviewing this result.
This calculator shows one part of a financial decision. The related calculators below help you model adjacent factors.
Switch to Standard or Advanced mode and use the scenario comparison tool to model best, expected, and worst case.
For decisions involving significant amounts of money, use this result as a starting point for a conversation with a qualified financial advisor.
How annual fuel costs are calculated
The fuel cost formula
Annual fuel cost = (Annual km ÷ 100) × Fuel consumption (L/100km) × Fuel price ($/L). For a car using 8.5L/100km, driven 15,000km/year at $2.00/L: (15,000 ÷ 100) × 8.5 × $2.00 = $2,550/year.
| Annual km | Fuel use (L/100km) | Price/L | Annual cost | Weekly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | 7.0 | $2.00 | $1,400 | $27 |
| 15,000 | 8.5 | $2.00 | $2,550 | $49 |
| 20,000 | 8.5 | $2.00 | $3,400 | $65 |
| 15,000 | 11.0 | $2.00 | $3,300 | $63 |
| 20,000 | 11.0 | $2.10 | $4,620 | $89 |
Fuel cost examples by vehicle type — Australia 2025
Based on average fuel prices of $1.90–$2.10/L for ULP and $2.10–$2.30/L for diesel in 2025.
| Vehicle type | Typical L/100km | 15,000km/yr cost | 20,000km/yr cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (e.g. Toyota Yaris) | 5.5–7.0 | $1,568–$2,100 | $2,090–$2,800 |
| Medium sedan (e.g. Toyota Camry) | 7.5–9.5 | $2,138–$2,850 | $2,850–$3,800 |
| SUV medium (e.g. RAV4 petrol) | 8.5–10.5 | $2,423–$3,150 | $3,230–$4,200 |
| Large SUV/4WD | 11.0–14.0 | $3,135–$4,200 | $4,180–$5,600 |
| Hybrid (e.g. Prius) | 4.0–5.5 | $1,140–$1,650 | $1,520–$2,200 |
| EV (e.g. Tesla Model 3) | 15–20 kWh/100km | $450–$900* | $600–$1,200* |
*EV cost at $0.30/kWh home charging rate. Public fast charging is 2–4× more expensive.
Electric vehicle vs petrol — true running cost comparison
Energy cost comparison
A petrol car using 8L/100km at $2.00/L costs $1,600 per 10,000km. An EV using 18kWh/100km at $0.30/kWh (home charging) costs $540 per 10,000km — a 66% saving. At public fast charger rates ($0.60–$0.80/kWh), the EV saving narrows to 40–50%.
Total cost of ownership
EVs have lower running costs (fuel, servicing) but higher purchase prices. The break-even point depends on the price premium and annual kilometres. For a $20,000 premium EV: at $1,500/year fuel saving, payback is approximately 13 years. At $2,500/year saving (high-km driver), payback is 8 years. Falling EV prices are reducing this gap rapidly.
Australian EV incentives
FBT exemption: eligible EVs under the luxury car tax threshold (~$89,332) are exempt from fringe benefits tax when provided through a novated lease. This creates significant savings for employees with novated leases. State government rebates (varying by state — check your state government website for current offers).
How to reduce your fuel bill — practical strategies
Driving habits (save 10–20%)
Smooth acceleration and braking, maintaining consistent speed on highways, reducing highway speed by 10km/h (saves approximately 10% fuel), turning off engine when stationary for more than 30 seconds, and keeping tyres inflated to recommended pressure.
Vehicle choice (save 30–60%)
Switching from a 10L/100km vehicle to a 6L/100km hybrid saves approximately $1,200/year at 15,000km. Fuel consumption varies more between models than between brands — check Green Vehicle Guide (greenvehicleguide.gov.au) for official consumption figures.
Using petrol price apps
Petrol price cycles in Australian capital cities typically follow a weekly or fortnightly pattern. Prices are lowest mid-week (Tuesday–Wednesday) and highest Friday–Sunday in most cities. Apps like GasBuddy, Motormouth, or state-specific apps show real-time prices across nearby stations.
True cost of commuting by car vs public transport
Full cost of car commuting
Fuel is only one cost of driving. The full cost per kilometre includes fuel, depreciation, insurance, registration, maintenance, and parking. The ATO's 2025 car rate is 88 cents/km for income tax deduction purposes — reflecting average total running costs.
| Commute distance | Fuel only (8L/100km) | Full cost (88c/km) | Annual cost (full) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10km each way | $1,460/yr | $6,424/yr | Full-time commuting |
| 20km each way | $2,920/yr | $12,848/yr | City fringe commuter |
| 30km each way | $4,380/yr | $19,272/yr | Outer suburb commuter |
Public transport comparison
A Sydney Opal weekly cap is $50/week (2025) = $2,600/year for a full-time commuter. An equivalent 20km car commute at full cost is $12,848/year. The car-to-public-transport saving is $10,248/year — before parking costs.
❓ Frequently asked Frequently asked questions
How is annual fuel cost calculated?
Annual fuel cost = (Annual km ÷ 100) × Fuel consumption (L/100km) × Price per litre. For 15,000km/year in a car using 8.5L/100km at $2.00/L: (150) × 8.5 × 2.00 = $2,550.
What is the average fuel consumption of an Australian car?
The average new car sold in Australia consumes approximately 7.5–9.5L/100km on a combined cycle. Large SUVs and 4WDs typically use 10–14L/100km. Hybrids average 4.5–6.0L/100km. EVs are measured in kWh/100km (typically 15–20 kWh/100km).
How much does an EV cost to run compared to petrol?
At home charging rates of $0.25–$0.35/kWh, an EV typically costs $400–$700 per 10,000km versus $1,400–$2,000 for a petrol equivalent — a saving of 55–70%. Public fast charging is significantly more expensive, often 2–4× home rates.
Can I claim fuel costs as a tax deduction?
If you use your car for work purposes (excluding commuting from home to your regular workplace), you can claim a deduction using either the cents-per-kilometre method (88 cents/km up to 5,000km in 2025-26) or the logbook method (actual expenses pro-rated for work use percentage).
What is the cheapest day to buy petrol in Australia?
Petrol prices cycle in most Australian capital cities. Prices typically reach their weekly low mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) and peak on weekends. Use apps like GasBuddy, Motormouth, or RACQ/RAA/NRMA price checkers to find the cheapest station near you.
Where these figures come from
Business figures on this page are drawn from the Australian Taxation Office (business tax, GST, PAYG), Business.gov.au (the federal business registration hub), Fair Work (employer obligations), and ASIC (company and director rules).
- Company tax rate (25% / 30%) — ATO — Company tax rates.
- GST rules (10%) — ATO — GST.
- PAYG withholding & employer obligations — ATO — PAYG withholding.
- Business registration (ABN/ACN) — Business.gov.au.
- Employer pay & award obligations — Fair Work Ombudsman.
- Company & director rules — ASIC — Companies.
Last checked: April 2026. Rates and thresholds are reviewed against the source of record each November, when annual adjustments for the following tax year are published.