Calculate fuel costs for trips and journey planning.
Understanding fuel consumption and trip costs. Fuel economy: measured as liters per 100km (European standard) or miles per gallon (US standard). Conversion: 1 MPG = 235.2 ÷ l/100km. Modern vehicles: 5-8 l/100km typical, hybrids 4-5, electric vehicles zero fuel (electricity only). Factors affecting consumption: driving habits (aggressive acceleration increases consumption), speed (optimal efficiency 80-100kph, extreme speeds increase consumption), terrain (mountainous increases, flat decreases), vehicle load (additional weight increases consumption), tire pressure (low pressure increases rolling resistance). City driving: higher consumption due to frequent acceleration/deceleration. Highway driving: lower consumption at steady speed, fewer gear changes.
Weather: cold temperatures reduce efficiency (heavier fluids, increased air density), wind increases drag. Vehicle maintenance: low tire pressure increases consumption 3%+, dirty air filter increases 5-10%, engine tuning impacts efficiency. Fuel types: regular vs. premium (premium higher octane, recommended for high-compression engines, not necessary for standard engines). Hybrid vehicles: gasoline engine + electric motor, improved efficiency particularly city driving. Electric vehicles: zero fuel consumption, charge cost 3-5p per mile (electricity cost), long-term fuel savings substantial. Fuel efficiency monitoring: trip computers display current/average consumption enabling tracking.
Eco-driving techniques: smooth acceleration, maintain steady speed, coast to deceleration, reduce idling reduces fuel consumption 10-15%. Route planning: efficient routes reduce distance/fuel consumption. Carpooling: sharing trips divides fuel cost among passengers. Trip cost calculation: (distance ÷ fuel economy) × fuel price = total cost. Example: 500km trip, 6 l/100km consumption, £1.50/liter = 30 liters × £1.50 = £45 fuel cost. Budget planning: tracking fuel spending identifies consumption patterns, supports budget management. Understanding fuel costs enables trip budgeting, vehicle efficiency comparison, cost-conscious driving optimization..