It’s one of those wet Mondays when you pull into a gas station almost without thinking. You park beside the pump, step out, and glance at the glowing screen that never brings good news. Price per liter. Total amount. Loyalty card prompt. The usual routine.
But this time, there’s a twist.
Right next to the price, a new line of information appears. No searching online. No tiny sticker on the door. It’s right there, at eye level, exactly when you’re about to pay.
And somehow, that small detail changes everything.
From February 12, pumps must show more than just the price
Starting February 12, gas stations will no longer be allowed to display only the price per liter. A new mandatory indicator must appear directly on the pump: the estimated fuel cost per 100 km, calculated using your fuel type and national average consumption.
Instead of seeing only what you’re paying at that moment, you’ll now see what that fuel really means on the road, over distance, in everyday driving.
On paper, it looks like a minor adjustment. In practice, it subtly reshapes how drivers judge what’s cheap and what isn’t.
From abstract prices to real-world comparisons
Picture filling up a small petrol car. The familiar number flashes: €1.89 per liter. Then, just below it, a second line appears: “Estimated fuel cost: €9.40 per 100 km.”
At the next pump, someone fills a diesel vehicle. Their liter price is different, but their cost per 100 km is shown too. Suddenly, comparison becomes simple. No calculator. No guesswork.
At stations offering hybrid or electric charging, another line will display the equivalent cost per 100 km for charging, based on public charging rates. For the first time, petrol, diesel, and electric appear side by side using the same language.
Why this new display changes how fuel prices are understood
The reasoning behind the rule is straightforward: price per liter doesn’t tell the full story. A car using four liters per 100 km at €2 a liter does not cost the same to run as one burning seven liters at €1.80.
Authorities want drivers to compare what truly matters: the cost of distance, not just the cost of fuel.
In a context shaped by fuel volatility, political tensions, and climate concerns, this measure encourages stations to speak the same language as drivers’ budgets. How far does my money actually take me?
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Using the new per-100-km figure to your advantage
The first reaction will likely be curiosity. The second should be comparison. When you see the cost per 100 km, link it to your own driving habits.
If you drive 250 km a week, multiply the number by 2.5. A display showing €8 per 100 km means roughly €20 a week for commuting, errands, and school runs.
On motorway stations, compare that figure with your usual local pump. What looks like a few cents per liter can turn into several extra euros each month. That’s when the new display becomes a practical tool.
Old habits can still mislead you
Many drivers will instinctively focus on the liter price, just as they always have. Numbers like 1.79 or 1.92 still trigger automatic reactions.
But that reflex hides important differences. A motorway pump that’s slightly more expensive per liter may still make sense if your car consumes less at steady speed than in city traffic. The per-100-km display brings that nuance forward.
At the same time, don’t fall into the opposite trap. A low displayed cost won’t offset aggressive driving, under-inflated tires, or heavy use of heating. The number is based on standardized consumption, not real-world rush-hour chaos.
A small line that changes conversations
“Fuel prices used to feel like a bad surprise,” says one station manager. “Now the numbers actually mean something. People ask questions. They compare. They understand where their money goes.”
- Check twice: look at both the liter price and the cost per 100 km.
- Use a benchmark: link the number to your weekly or monthly mileage.
- Compare fuel types: petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric become easier to weigh.
- Watch trends: noting the figure over time shows how costs evolve.
- Keep perspective: the goal is clarity, not obsession.
A quiet change with a lasting impact
This new mandatory display won’t lower fuel prices or soften the shock of a full tank. What it does offer is perspective.
You stop being just a buyer of liters and start seeing the real cost of distance. That shift can influence how people drive, what vehicles they choose next, and how they talk about mobility.
It doesn’t shout. It simply reminds drivers to look beyond the pump — and that quiet reminder may be enough to change how the cost of getting around is understood.
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| New mandatory info | From February 12, stations must display the estimated fuel cost per 100 km at the pump | Gives you a clear, comparable figure you can actually use |
| Everyday use | Link the per‑100‑km cost to your weekly or monthly mileage | Helps you see how much your car really costs you over time |
| Better decisions | Compare fuels, vehicles, and stations using the same metric | Makes future choices about cars and driving habits more grounded |
