Fuel Cost Calculator UK
UK drivers spend over £1,000 a year on fuel. See exactly what your car costs to run, per mile, per month, and per year. Compare petrol, diesel, and electric side by side. Based on current UK average fuel prices.
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Calculate Your Fuel Costs
Current UK average petrol price: £1.42/litre. Prices updated 2026-03-21.
Annual Fuel Cost
£1,137
per year
Monthly Fuel Cost
£95
per month
Cost Per Mile
£0.15
per mile
Estimated MPG
42 mpg
Litres Per Year
801 L
Fuel Price
£1.42/L
Fuel: £1,137/yr. Is your insurance competitive?
Car insurance is usually your second-biggest cost after fuel. UK drivers save an average of £504/year by switching. Takes 60 seconds to compare 100+ insurers.
Fuel Type Comparison
Same engine size (1.6L) and mileage (7,400 miles/year) across all fuel types.
| Fuel Type | Est. MPG | Litres/Year | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost | Cost/Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| petrol(selected) | 42 mpg | 801 L | £1,137 | £95 | £0.15 |
| diesel | 55 mpg | 612 L | £906 | £76 | £0.12 |
| electric | N/A | N/A | £370 | £31 | £0.05 |
Switching to electric could save you £767 per year on fuel alone at your current mileage.
Check insurance for EVsYour estimated total annual running costs
For the full cost breakdown on a specific car, enter a reg plate to see exact fuel type, road tax band, MOT history, and predicted repair costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a car per mile in the UK?
The average fuel cost per mile in the UK is between 10p and 18p depending on your engine size and fuel type. Smaller engines (1.0L petrol) cost around 12p per mile, while larger engines (3.0L+) can cost 20p or more. Electric vehicles are the cheapest at roughly 5p per mile.
How many litres of fuel does the average UK car use per year?
Based on the UK average of 7,400 miles per year, a typical 1.6L petrol car uses around 800 litres of fuel annually. A diesel of the same size uses closer to 610 litres thanks to better fuel economy. Electric vehicles use no fuel at all, relying on electricity instead.
Is diesel cheaper to run than petrol?
Diesel engines are generally more fuel-efficient than petrol engines, meaning they use fewer litres per mile. However, diesel fuel costs more per litre (currently around 148p vs 142p for petrol). For high-mileage drivers doing 15,000+ miles per year, diesel is usually cheaper overall. For lower mileage, petrol often works out cheaper.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Charging an electric car at home costs roughly 5p per mile based on average UK electricity rates. For 7,400 miles per year, that works out to about £370 annually, compared to £1,000+ for a petrol car. Public rapid chargers are more expensive, typically 8p to 12p per mile.
What is the cheapest engine size to run?
Small engines (1.0L to 1.2L) are the cheapest to run on fuel. A 1.0L petrol engine typically achieves 50 to 55 MPG, costing around £870 per year at 7,400 miles. However, electric vehicles are even cheaper at roughly £370 per year for the same mileage.
Fuel costs done. Don't forget road tax.
Check how much road tax your car costs. Rates vary by CO2 emissions and fuel type. Free, instant.
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About This Fuel Cost Calculator
Our fuel cost calculator uses estimated MPG figures based on engine size bands and current UK average fuel prices from RAC Fuel Watch data. Actual fuel consumption varies depending on driving style, road conditions, vehicle age, tyre pressure, and load. City driving typically uses 15% to 30% more fuel than motorway cruising.
Fuel prices shown are national averages and may differ from prices at your local station. Supermarket forecourts tend to be 3p to 5p cheaper per litre than branded stations. We update our price data regularly to keep estimates as accurate as possible.
For the most accurate fuel cost estimate for a specific vehicle, enter its registration plate above. We will use the actual engine size and fuel type from DVLA records rather than estimates.