Car Fuel Tracker Australia
Every fill-up tells a story. How much you're spending, how efficiently you're driving, and whether that new route to work is actually saving you money — or costing you more.
Why track your fuel costs?
Fuel is the second-largest ongoing cost of car ownership in Australia (after insurance). The average Australian driver spends $2,500–$4,000 per year on fuel — and most have no idea what their real cost per kilometre is. They know what they pay at the bowser, but not whether their fuel economy is improving or degrading over time.
A fuel tracker changes that. By logging every fill-up, you can see:
- Your actual L/100km — not the trip computer's optimistic number, but the real figure based on litres pumped and kilometres driven.
- Cost per kilometre — so you can compare vehicles, routes, and driving styles with a single metric.
- Trends over time — is your fuel economy getting worse? That could indicate a maintenance issue (dirty air filter, low tyre pressure, worn spark plugs).
- Budget forecasting — know exactly what you'll spend on fuel next month based on your actual usage pattern.
How to calculate fuel cost per km
The formula is simple:
Cost per km = Total fuel cost ÷ Total kilometres driven
For example, if you spent $420 on fuel last month and drove 2,100 km, your cost per km is $0.20. That's $0.20 of fuel for every kilometre you drove.
For L/100km (the standard Australian measure):
L/100km = (Litres pumped ÷ Kilometres driven) × 100
If you pumped 85 litres and drove 620 km: (85 ÷ 620) × 100 = 13.7 L/100km.
Average fuel costs in Australia (2026)
Here's what Australian drivers are paying per kilometre across different vehicle types, based on current fuel prices (approximately $2.10/L for unleaded 91):
- Small hatchback (Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3): 5.5–7.0 L/100km → $0.12–$0.15/km
- Medium sedan (Toyota Camry, Mazda 6): 7.0–8.5 L/100km → $0.15–$0.18/km
- Small SUV (Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5): 7.5–9.0 L/100km → $0.16–$0.19/km
- Large SUV (Toyota Prado, Ford Everest): 9.0–12.0 L/100km → $0.19–$0.25/km
- Ute (Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux): 8.5–12.0 L/100km → $0.18–$0.25/km
- Diesel vehicles: typically 10–15% better L/100km than petrol equivalents, but diesel costs ~$0.15–$0.20 more per litre, so per-km cost is often similar.
How AutoBrain's fuel tracker works
AutoBrain's fuel tracking is built for simplicity:
- Fill up as normal. Note the odometer reading and litres pumped (both on the receipt).
- Open AutoBrain, tap "Add Fuel Entry." Enter the odometer, litres, cost per litre, and fuel type. Takes 30 seconds.
- AutoBrain does the maths. Instant L/100km, cost per km, and cumulative stats across every fill-up. No spreadsheets, no manual calculations.
- See trends. Charts show your fuel economy over time. A sudden spike could indicate a problem. A gradual improvement could mean your driving style is getting more efficient.
For even less manual work, AutoBrain's OBD2 integration can automatically log your odometer reading when you connect the adapter, so you only need to enter the litres and cost.
Fuel tracking for tax deductions
If you use your personal vehicle for work (not commuting to your regular workplace), you can claim the business-use portion of fuel as a tax deduction. The ATO requires a detailed log with:
- Date of each fill-up
- Odometer reading
- Litres and cost
- Fuel type
- Business vs. personal kilometres
AutoBrain tracks all of this automatically. At tax time, export your fuel history as CSV and give it to your accountant. No more shoebox of receipts.
The ATO cents-per-kilometre method (85 cents/km for 2025–26) is simpler, but if you drive a lot of business kilometres, the logbook method with actual fuel costs often gives a larger deduction. A fuel tracker makes the logbook method effortless.
Tips to improve your fuel economy
- Check tyre pressure monthly. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption by 3–5%. Check the placard on the driver's door jamb, not the number on the tyre sidewall.
- Remove unnecessary weight. Every 50 kg of extra weight costs about 1–2% more fuel.
- Drive smoothly. Accelerate gently, brake early, and maintain a steady speed. Aggressive driving wastes 15–30% more fuel.
- Use cruise control on highways. It maintains a steady speed and avoids the acceleration-deceleration cycle that burns fuel.
- Servicing matters. A dirty air filter, old spark plugs, or degraded oil all increase fuel consumption. Track your service schedule in AutoBrain.
- Compare fuel prices. Use apps like FuelMap Australia or Petrol Spy to find the cheapest fuel near you. The price difference between stations can be 20–40 cents per litre.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track my car's fuel costs?
The easiest way is a fuel tracker app. AutoBrain logs each fill-up with date, odometer, litres, cost per litre, and fuel type. It then calculates your real fuel economy in L/100km and cost per kilometre — automatically. No spreadsheets needed.
What is a good fuel cost per km?
The average Australian car costs about $0.15–$0.25 per km in fuel alone (based on 2026 fuel prices). Small hatchbacks like a Toyota Corolla sit around $0.12–$0.15/km, while large SUVs and utes can reach $0.25–$0.35/km.
Can I use a fuel tracker for tax deductions?
Yes — if you use your car for work (not commuting), you can claim the business-use portion of fuel as a tax deduction. A detailed fuel log with date, odometer, and cost is essential for ATO compliance. AutoBrain tracks every fill-up and can export your fuel history as a CSV.
How accurate is AutoBrain's fuel tracking?
Very accurate — AutoBrain calculates real fuel economy based on your actual fill-ups, not the car's often-optimistic trip computer. Enter what you actually pumped and the odometer reading, and the L/100km and cost/km are calculated precisely.
Does AutoBrain support diesel and LPG?
Yes. AutoBrain supports all fuel types: petrol (RON 91/95/98), diesel, LPG, E85 ethanol, and even electric vehicle charging costs. Each fill-up is tagged with the fuel type so your reports are accurate across different vehicles.
Start tracking your real fuel costs today. Try the live demo or see hosted plans — free tier includes fuel tracking for one vehicle.