Quick summary
This calculator estimates annual fuel spend from distance, real-world consumption (L/100 km), and the pump prices you enter. It answers a narrow question: on fuel alone, which side of the diesel vs petrol split is cheaper at the prices and efficiencies you supply — not which car to buy.
Key takeaways
- Petrol (ULP 91 here) and diesel are different fuels; the calculator never suggests putting diesel in a petrol tank or vice versa.
- Small changes in L/100 km or cents per litre swing the outcome — use honest long-term figures, not brochure bests.
- Melbourne defaults reflect our public snapshot or live board averages when available; you can override them for your local bowser.
Definitions
- Petrol (ULP 91)
- Standard unleaded for spark-ignition engines rated for 91 RON. Premium grades (95/98) are not modelled in this tool unless you type their price into the petrol field.
- Diesel
- Road diesel for compression-ignition engines. Pump diesel often costs more per litre than ULP 91; diesel vehicles often use fewer litres per 100 km, which is why a side-by-side calculator matters.
- L/100 km
- Litres consumed per one hundred kilometres — the standard economy figure on Australian dashboards and spec sheets.
What the calculator compares
Use this table to see what is in scope for the estimate and what you must judge separately.
| Topic | In this tool | Out of scope |
|---|---|---|
| Spend driver | Fuel litres × price per litre | Finance, insurance, rego |
| Diesel-specific costs | Optional via price you type | AdBlue, DPF servicing (not modelled) |
| Vehicle choice | Hypothetical fuel bill only | Resale, depreciation, servicing schedules |
Best for
Shortlisting two similar drivetrains (or comparing your current diesel ute vs a petrol alternative) when you already have realistic L/100 km and local pump prices.
Not ideal for
Declaring a "winner" car without pricing servicing, tow use, resale, or how many urban short trips you do — those factors often matter more than a narrow fuel-only spread.