Of course, it happens on a Tuesday night. Your fuel gauge has been flashing for ten long minutes, the kids in the back seat are hungry, and you’re already late. You rush into the first gas station on the ring road, swipe your card, and watch the euros go by on the screen. You stop and think, “Do I only put in €20?” Should I fill the tank? “Can I even afford that this month?”
You look at the pump, but it doesn’t really say anything. There is only a price per liter and a total. You have no idea how much this fill-up will really cost you in your daily budget, or if another car, fuel, or rhythm would be better.
That silence at the pump will end on January 17. In a very real way.
Starting on January 17, there will be a new piece of information at the pump.
Every gas station in the country will have to put up a new required sign right at the pump starting on January 17. Not in small print on a poster behind the cashier. Put your card right there.
In addition to the usual price per liter, stations will now have to show a comparison of fuel costs per 100 km and, in some cases, against other types of energy. In simple terms, how much gas your car uses over a distance that everyone can understand.
This small number, which seems simple at first, changes how you think about your fuel.
Think about this. You pull over on a Saturday morning at a busy station just off the highway. People are standing in line and nervously looking at their watches. A new sticker on your pump shows a table that shows how much it costs, on average, to drive 100 km with petrol, diesel, LPG, or electricity. You can’t miss it.
You can see in black and white that the guy in front of you is filling up his big SUV. His choice of fuel costs almost twice as much per 100 km as a small hybrid. You don’t need an app or a calculator. Reality hits you right in the eye when you have to make a choice.
That’s what the new rule is hoping for: a push, not a lecture.
The reasoning is clear. We all react to the price per liter today because that’s the only number we can see. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story. If you drive a lot, a thirsty engine that costs €1.70 per liter can cost you a lot more than a frugal one that costs €1.80 per liter.
Public authorities want to give drivers a clearer picture by making stations show costs per 100 km and sometimes comparisons with other energies. Not a lesson in morality, just a more honest way to keep score.
*Information doesn’t make prices go down, but it does change how we deal with them.*
It’s easy to make the most of your time: read that new sticker for three seconds before you start the pump. Find the line that says “cost per 100 km” and remember the number. After that, compare it to what you know about how much you drive each week.
If the pump says your fuel type costs about €9 per 100 km and you drive 300 km a week, you already know that’s about €27. Not in theory, but this week, with this car, in your real life.
You can then choose whether to fill up all the way or to spread out your refuels. That little bit of math gives you back control.
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The rule doesn’t magically make gas cheaper, and we won’t all change cars overnight. So the trap would be to feel bad or like you can’t do anything about this new number.
Instead, think of it like the calories on a menu: something to help you make better choices, not something that will ruin your day. You can still change your habits if you see that your usual fuel type is high on the 100 km chart. For example, you can avoid speeding up too quickly, group your trips, carpool once a week, or ride your bike instead of driving for very short distances.
Let’s be honest: no one really does this every day. But once you know how much it really costs per 100 km, it’s hard to forget.
A transport economics researcher I talked to said, “People don’t need a 20-page brochure to understand energy.” “At the right time, they need to see one number when they take out their bank card.”
- Before you pay, read the new sticker. Don’t read it after you pay.
- Make a mental connection between the “per 100 km” number and the number of kilometers you drive each week or month.
- If you have a choice between two pumps or two cars at home, compare the fuels.
- Use the information as a cue to change how you drive on your next trip.
- To see how things change over time, keep a picture of the pump chart on your phone.
A small change to the pump that can change bigger habits
This new rule won’t make the news every night, but it will quietly become a part of the lives of millions of drivers. Every time I fill up, I think to myself, “This is what 100 km really costs me.” Some people will shrug it off, some will be annoyed, and others will talk about it at work or over dinner.
That’s how habits start to change, not with big speeches, but with these little problems. You might want to rethink which car you borrow for long trips. You might want to think again about that second car in the driveway. You might even see public transportation or electricity prices in a new light.
Gas stations will also have to change to fit this new openness. Some will focus on cheaper or alternative fuels. Some people might use the comparison tables to convince people to join their loyalty programs or take advantage of off-peak discounts.
Of course, drivers will keep complaining about prices, and a sticker won’t change that. But the conversation changes a bit: instead of “It’s too expensive,” people start asking, “How much does each 100 km really cost me, and what can I do to change that?”
This is the plain truth step between feeling stuck at the pump and being able to find your way around with a little more ease.
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| New mandatory display at pumps | From January 17, gas stations must show fuel cost per 100 km and, in some cases, comparisons between fuels | Lets you understand the real impact of each refuel on your budget |
| Use it as a quick decision tool | Glance at the 100 km cost, link it to your weekly mileage, then decide how much to fill | Helps you control spending instead of refueling blindly |
| Small change, long-term effects | This simple info can influence driving style, trip planning, and even future vehicle choices | Gives you leverage to reduce costs over months, not just at one refuel |
Questions and Answers:
Question 1What will gas stations have to show starting January 17?
Answer 1: They will need to show information that compares fuel costs, such as an estimate of the price per 100 km for different fuels sold on site, and sometimes for alternative energies like electricity if it makes sense.
Question 2: Will this new rule make gas prices go down?
Answer 2: No, the price per liter is still set by the market and taxes. The change is about being open: it helps you understand and compare the real cost of driving, not just lowering the price at the pump.
Question 3: Will all stations, even small ones in the country, be worried?
Answer 3: Yes, the duty is the same all over the country. Both big highway stations and small local pumps will have to show the new information at the point of sale.
How do you figure out the “cost per 100 km”?
Answer 4: It is based on average fuel use numbers that are the same for everyone and current prices. It won’t be exactly the same as what you eat, but it will give you a good way to compare.
Question 5: Can this really make a difference in my wallet?
Answer 5: Yes, if you use it all the time. You can change how you drive, plan trips better, and, over time, take this into account when choosing a car or fuel type, which can save you a lot of money over the course of a year.
