Calculate your monthly and yearly petrol expenses based on daily commute distance, vehicle mileage, and current petrol rates in your city.
Whether you drive a hatchback for daily office commuting or ride a two-wheeler, knowing your exact fuel burn helps you budget efficiently. Urban traffic conditions in Indian metros often cause vehicles to run at lower fuel efficiency compared to ARAI-tested figures due to frequent stop-and-go driving, idling at traffic signals, and heavy air conditioning usage.
The mathematical calculation behind monthly petrol expenditure follows a straightforward formula:
Example: If your daily office commute is 30 km round-trip, your car delivers 15 km/L mileage, you work 22 days a month, and petrol costs ₹96.50 per litre:
| Vehicle Category | Engine Size | Average City Mileage (km/L) | Average Highway Mileage (km/L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Hatchback (Maruti Alto, Kwid) | 0.8L – 1.0L Petrol | 16 – 18 km/L | 21 – 24 km/L |
| Premium Hatchback / Compact Sedan (Swift, Baleno, Dzire) | 1.2L Petrol | 14 – 16 km/L | 19 – 22 km/L |
| Mid-Size SUV / Crossover (Creta, Seltos, Brezza) | 1.5L Petrol NA | 11 – 13 km/L | 16 – 18 km/L |
| 125cc Two-Wheeler / Scooter (Activa, Access) | 125cc Air-cooled | 42 – 48 km/L | 50 – 55 km/L |
| 150cc – 200cc Motorcycle (Pulsar, Apache) | 150cc – 200cc | 35 – 42 km/L | 45 – 50 km/L |
Monthly petrol cost = [(Daily round-trip distance in km ÷ Vehicle mileage in km/L) × Number of working days in a month] × Current petrol rate per litre.
Maintain optimal tire pressure, drive at steady speeds (40-60 km/h), avoid aggressive acceleration, turn off engine at red lights over 30 seconds, and minimize AC usage during short city drives.
Yes, carrying unnecessary weight in the boot or cabin increases engine load. Every extra 50 kg of weight can reduce fuel efficiency by about 1-2%.