Diesel or petrol: which is cheaper in 2026?
Today petrol is cheaper even per kilometre: diesel costs more per litre and the lower consumption isn’t enough to catch up. For low-mileage drivers, petrol is the simpler choice.
How to choose today
For years diesel had two advantages: cheaper per litre and lower consumption. Today the first is gone — diesel at the pump costs more than petrol, partly due to higher excise duties. The second remains: a diesel engine covers more km on the same litre, so per kilometre it can still cost a little less. But the margin has narrowed.
Diesel pays off if you drive a lot: above ~15-20,000 km a year, lower consumption (and the once-lower price) repays the higher purchase price and often higher road tax. Below that, and for mostly urban use, petrol — or a petrol hybrid — is usually the cheaper, less troublesome choice (many cities restrict older diesels).
If your car is compatible and you drive a lot, LPG beats both per kilometre, against the conversion cost: see the dedicated calculator. Either way, the price per litre changes constantly: the table above uses today’s official data, but for the exact price near you, check the app.
Frequently asked questions
Is diesel or petrol cheaper in 2026?
It depends on prices and your annual mileage.
Why does diesel cost more than petrol now?
The historic diesel discount has eroded: excise duties on diesel have risen and demand patterns changed, so at the pump diesel is now typically above petrol — reversing the long-standing gap.
From how many km a year does diesel pay off?
As a rule of thumb, above ~15-20,000 km a year, where the lower consumption offsets the higher purchase price and road tax. Below that, petrol (or a petrol hybrid) is usually the better deal.