Fuel Cost Calculator
Vehicle A
Vehicle B
About this calculator
This tool uses real fuel economy data from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register — the same dataset that tracks every registered vehicle in New Zealand. The fuel consumption figures are weighted averages across all variants and years of each model on NZ roads.
Fuel prices are the official NZ national average adjusted retail prices published weekly by MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment). Last updated: 10/04/2026. Your actual costs will vary by region and station.
Tips for reducing fuel costs in NZ
- Tyre pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption by up to 3%. Check pressure monthly (NZ minimum tread depth is 1.5mm for WOF).
- Driving style: Smooth acceleration and braking can reduce fuel use by 15-20%.
- Speed: Driving at 100 km/h instead of 110 km/h on NZ motorways can save 10-15% on fuel.
- Consider a hybrid or EV: Electricity in NZ is largely renewable. Charging an EV costs roughly a quarter of fuelling a petrol car for the same distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the fuel cost calculated?
We use the average fuel consumption (L/100km) from NZTA fleet data for each model, multiplied by the number of kilometres you enter and the current fuel price. For electric vehicles, we use a typical consumption of 17 kWh/100km and the average residential electricity rate.
Are the fuel prices accurate?
We use official NZ average retail fuel prices from MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment), updated weekly. Current prices: $3.48/L for petrol, $3.81/L for diesel, and $0.3/kWh for electricity. Actual prices vary by region and station.
Why does the fuel economy differ from what the manufacturer says?
Our figures are weighted averages from the entire NZ fleet for each model, covering all years and variants. They reflect real-world driving in NZ conditions, which often differs from manufacturer test-cycle figures.
What about hybrid vehicles?
Petrol hybrids and plug-in hybrids use their average combined fuel consumption from the NZTA data, which reflects a mix of electric and petrol driving. Their fuel costs are calculated at the petrol price since they still use petrol as the primary fuel.
Does this include all running costs?
No — this only covers fuel costs. Total running costs also include WOF, registration, insurance, tyres, servicing, and depreciation. See our full running costs guide for a complete breakdown.
Fuel economy data from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026). Fuel prices are approximate NZ averages.