How much fuel costs per year
The annual fuel cost can be calculated by multiplying the kilometres driven in a year by the average consumption and the price per litre. For example, a car that uses 7 litres per hundred kilometres and is driven 15,000 kilometres a year uses 1,050 litres. At the average price of 95E10 petrol on 28.9.2026, 2.331 euros a litre, that comes to about 2,450 euros a year.
A diesel car that consumes 6 litres per hundred and is driven 20 000 kilometres a year uses 1 200 litres. At the contemporaneous average diesel price of 2.523 euros, it costs about 3 030 euros a year.
You can find out your own car's actual consumption by filling the tank, resetting the trip meter and dividing the litres filled at the next fill-up by the kilometres driven. When you repeat this a few times, you can see how, for example, winter, city driving or a change in driving style affects consumption.
Even half a litre per hundred is hundreds of euros
According to the Finnish Automobile and Touring Club's training manager, a one-litre drop in average consumption means savings of about 500 euros at 20 000 kilometres a year at 2022 prices. At the September 2026 price of 95E10 petrol, the same 200-litre saving would be about 466 euros.
Even a drop of half a litre per hundred kilometres saves 75 litres over 15 000 kilometres of driving a year, or about 175 euros at autumn 2026 petrol prices. Even small changes in driving style and car condition are therefore worthwhile.
With a plug-in hybrid, the saving depends on how regularly the car is charged. According to Autoliitto, the average consumption of a regularly charged hybrid can be around two litres per hundred kilometres, but up to ten litres without charging.
Driving style matters most
Anticipatory and steady driving is the most effective way to reduce consumption. When you watch traffic from further away, unnecessary braking and accelerating decrease. Autoliitto recommends a safety gap of about four seconds to the vehicle ahead.
Cruise control helps keep your speed steady on the road. Air resistance rises quickly as speed increases, so on a motorway even a small drop in speed clearly reduces consumption.
Slowing down costs less time than many think. According to Liikenneturva, a 10-kilometre trip driven at 80 km/h takes only about a minute and a half longer than at 100 km/h. In a 2022 Liikenneturva survey, about two thirds of respondents said they had reduced their driving speed to cut fuel consumption.
- Anticipate traffic lights and let the car roll.
- Shift up to a higher gear in good time.
- Avoid unnecessary idling.
- Remove the roof box and unnecessary load when you do not need them.
Tyres and tyre pressures
Tyres account for a significant share of fuel consumption. According to Liikenneturva, tyre pressures that are too low can increase consumption by as much as 3–6 %. Check the pressures at least once a month and always before a long journey or a heavy load.
When buying new tyres, it is worth looking at the EU tyre label. According to Moottori magazine, consumption increases by about 0.1 litres per hundred kilometres between the label classes, so the difference between the best and worst class can be about half a litre (2022).
Winter increases consumption: use pre-heating
A cold start can easily double consumption during the first five kilometres. In winter, preheating saves fuel and the engine.
According to the Finnish Automobile and Touring Club's recommendations, with an electric block heater a suitable heating time is 0.5–1 hour at 0…−5 degrees, 1–2 hours at −5…−10 degrees and 2–3 hours below −10 degrees (2018). Longer heating is not needed, so a timer also saves electricity.
In winter it is also worth checking tyre pressures more often, because cold air lowers the pressure. If the manufacturer does not give separate winter values, the pressures can be raised by about 0,2 bar above the recommended value. Also pre-heat the interior with a timer from the mains, so that the engine does not have to warm the cab during the first kilometres.
Refuel smartly
Price differences between stations and on different days of the week can be cents per litre. According to KKV researchers, the lowest prices have often fallen between Sunday and Tuesday, but the timing varies week to week.
If you often refuel at the same chain, compare the loyalty benefit with the price difference between stations. For work trips, you can pay a tax-free mileage allowance, which in 2026 is 55 cents per kilometre, provided the trips are recorded in a driving log.
Fuel Radar shows current average fuel prices, the share of taxes and the monthly price trend.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I save by anticipatory driving?
The saving depends on the starting level. For example, a drop of half a litre per hundred kilometres saves about 175 euros with 15 000 kilometres of driving a year at autumn 2026 petrol prices.
Do low tyre pressures increase consumption?
Yes. According to Liikenneturva, tyre pressures that are too low can increase consumption by as much as 3–6%. Check the pressures monthly.
How long does a car need to be preheated?
With an electric heater: 0…−5 degrees 0,5–1 hours, −5…−10 degrees 1–2 hours and in harder frost 2–3 hours (Autoliitto, 2018).
Calculate it yourself
- Fuel calculator: is it worth driving to a cheaper station? · free
- Fleet fuel cost calculator for businesses · free
Ready-made tools
- Car annual cost calculator · Fuel or electricity, insurance, tax, servicing and depreciation
- Logbook and mileage allowance · Trips with odometer readings, mileage allowance 2026 and a monthly summary
Sources
- fuel-prices.eu: Fuel prices in Finland (Weekly Oil Bulletin, 28.9.2026)
- Moottori: Fuels at record highs – here is how to save (Autoliitto, 2022)
- Moottori: How to reduce a car's fuel consumption in frosty weather (2.11.2024)
- Moottori: Winter is coming – how to preheat your car (2018)
- Taloustaito: A thrifty driver saves – Liikenneturva on tyre pressures (7.2.2023)
- Verkkouutiset: FCCA researchers on the petrol price cycle (17.12.2024)
- Finnish Tax Administration: Mileage allowance and daily allowance
The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.