Katerina Swanson
Fuel economy is an important consideration when buying a car, and there are many ways to calculate and compare the fuel efficiency of different vehicles. In New Zealand, fuel economy is typically displayed in litres per 100km, and cars are given a star rating to indicate their efficiency. This information is available on the New Zealand Transport Agency's website and can also be found on fuel economy labels displayed on vehicles in dealerships. Various factors can impact a car's fuel economy, including driving style, vehicle loading, tyre pressure, and wind direction. Additionally, choosing the correct fuel type for your car can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce engine wear. Electric and hybrid vehicles offer more environmentally friendly options, with the ability to calculate fuel efficiency in kilowatt-hours per 100km. While manufacturer-provided fuel economy figures are useful for comparing models, real-world fuel consumption may vary due to individual driving habits and conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy rating | Displayed as 'xx' litres per 100km or 'xx' L/100km |
| Fuel economy label | A New Zealand Government-authorised ticket that explains the fuel efficiency of a car using a star-rating system |
| Fuel efficiency | The lower the litres per 100km, the more economical the car |
| Fuel economy calculator | Available on the Fuelsaver website |
| Fuel efficiency meter | Some vehicles are equipped with a fuel efficiency meter, which indicates average fuel efficiency and fuel efficiency at a given moment |
| Eco-driving indicator | Some vehicles have an eco-driving indicator, which lights up when your driving is eco-friendly |
| Zone indicator | Some vehicles have a zone indicator that shows the accelerator opening degree and your current range of eco-friendly driving |
| Fuel efficiency tips | Easy ways to save up to 30% on your fuel bill |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel economy star ratings
In New Zealand, fuel economy labels are authorised by the government and are based on data submitted by vehicle manufacturers and/or importers. These labels use a star-rating system, with a maximum of six stars indicating the most fuel-efficient vehicles. The more stars a car has, the more economical it is, resulting in lower emissions and fuel savings. This information is readily available for consumers, with motor vehicle traders being required to display these labels on cars, utes, and vans they are selling that weigh 3.5 tonnes or less.
The fuel economy rating is determined by testing vehicles against internationally agreed-upon standards and guidelines. These tests are conducted in controlled conditions using a machine called a dynamometer, which simulates different driving environments, such as urban, open-road, and combined cycle driving. The results of these tests provide the official fuel economy and CO2 emission figures for each vehicle.
It is important to note that actual fuel economy and emissions may vary depending on several factors, including driving style, speed, distance travelled, vehicle load, and tyre pressure. However, the star rating system provides a useful estimate for consumers, allowing them to make more informed choices when purchasing a car in New Zealand.
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Fuel efficiency and cost
Fuel efficiency, or fuel economy, is a form of thermal efficiency, which is the ratio of effort to the result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier (fuel) into kinetic energy or work. In the context of transport, fuel economy is the energy efficiency of a particular vehicle, given as a ratio of distance travelled per unit of fuel consumed.
The fuel economy rating displayed as 'xx' litres per 100km or 'xx' L/100km means that for every 100km driven, your car will consume 'xx' litres of fuel. The lower the litres per 100km, the more economical the car. For example, if you buy a car with a fuel economy rating of 4L per 100km, it would cost you around $11.20 per 100km drive, or about $1568.00 estimated running cost per year.
There can be a big difference in fuel consumption between cars, even if they are of a similar size. A car's fuel economy rating is an easy way for consumers to compare and find out which car is going to be more economical. In New Zealand, all motor vehicle traders or car dealerships must display fuel economy labels on all vehicles (except for electric vehicles), so there is always a point of reference to help you when deciding which vehicle to buy. The label will show a star rating, with more stars indicating a more economical vehicle, with the best possible rating being 6 stars. The label will also show the estimated running costs per year and fuel economy in litres per 100km.
You can also calculate your fuel economy and usage. If you wait until your tank is fairly empty before you refill, you will get a good general representation of your fuel usage. If you usually fill up when you get down to one-third full, that will represent your normal usage, so you should do that while you are measuring. When you fill up, try to choose the same petrol station and same pump, as pumps have a slight natural variation. It also helps if it’s a similar temperature and atmospheric pressure to reduce any effects of the weather on the fuel. You can take the cost of your fuel per tank and divide it by the kilometres driven to find out your fuel cost per kilometre. You can also use a fuel cost calculator to estimate fuel costs according to the distance of a trip, the fuel efficiency of the car, and the price of gas using various units.
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Real-world fuel consumption
Fuel economy is an important factor when it comes to choosing the right car, but real-world fuel consumption can differ from manufacturers' claims. An AA Research Foundation study found a growing divergence between the two, with some newer models potentially being less fuel-efficient than their predecessors from a decade ago. This underscores the need for better consumer information about real-world fuel consumption.
There are various factors that affect a vehicle's fuel economy in the real world. These include driving style, vehicle loading, tyre type and pressure, wind direction, traffic conditions, and accessories fitted to the vehicle. For example, using air conditioning instead of opening the window on a longer trip can reduce fuel consumption due to decreased wind drag. Additionally, the type of fuel used is important, as modern vehicles perform best and most efficiently with the recommended fuel type. Using the wrong fuel can lead to increased fuel consumption and engine wear.
To get a good estimate of your vehicle's real-world fuel consumption, it is recommended to wait until the tank is fairly empty before refilling. As the tank becomes emptier, the vehicle becomes lighter, resulting in better fuel economy. Filling up at the same petrol station and pump can also help reduce the impact of natural variations between pumps. Additionally, refilling at a similar temperature and atmospheric pressure will minimise the effects of weather on fuel, as it is typically stored underground at a constant temperature.
There are also tools available to help you understand and improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Some cars have a fuel efficiency meter that can indicate average and real-time fuel efficiency, as well as an eco-driving indicator that lights up when your driving is eco-friendly. Additionally, online calculators, such as the NZ GOVT Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority's total cost of ownership tool, can help you compare different models and estimate fuel costs.
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Factors affecting fuel economy
Fuel economy is a highly important aspect of vehicle ownership, with implications for both the consumer's wallet and the government's CO2 abatement policies. However, the gap between the claimed fuel efficiency of vehicles and their real-world performance has been steadily increasing. This divergence is quite significant, with overseas studies showing that the latest vehicles' fuel efficiency is around 42% worse than what manufacturers claim. This means that consumers could be paying up to $650 more per year for fuel than they expected.
There are several factors that affect the fuel economy of a vehicle. Firstly, the type of fuel used is a major factor. Liquid fuels such as petrol and diesel are commonly used in New Zealand, with diesel being the primary fuel for commercial land transport and petrol being more for private use. The price of these fuels can vary greatly, with diesel prices in New Zealand reaching an all-time high of $2.64 per litre in September 2022 and petrol prices increasing by 30% from $1.87 per litre to $2.45 per litre between 2020 and 2021. These price hikes can significantly impact the cost of fuel for consumers.
Another factor is the efficiency of the vehicle's engine. Modern engines are designed to be more fuel-efficient, but as mentioned earlier, the real-world fuel economy may not match the manufacturer's claims. Additionally, the age and condition of the vehicle can also impact fuel economy, with some newer models performing worse than their predecessors from 10 years ago.
External factors can also affect fuel economy. For example, driving habits such as aggressive acceleration or excessive idling can reduce fuel efficiency. Other factors include the weight of the vehicle, the terrain and road conditions, and even the weather. Driving uphill or on rough roads will reduce fuel economy, as will driving in strong headwinds.
Finally, the availability and security of the fuel supply can also impact fuel economy. New Zealand's fuel supply chain has faced disruptions in the past, such as the outage of the Refinery to Auckland Pipeline in 2017 and the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery in 2022. These disruptions can lead to fuel shortages and price hikes, affecting all sectors of the economy and costing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. To mitigate these risks, the government regularly reviews the fuel system and has implemented policies such as the Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Act 2023, which mandates minimum fuel stockholding obligations for fuel importers.
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Fuel-efficient driving
When it comes to buying a car, fuel economy is a significant factor to consider. In New Zealand, fuel economy is displayed as litres per 100km (L/100km), showing how much fuel a car consumes per 100km travelled. The lower the figure, the more economical the car. For instance, a car with a fuel economy rating of 4L per 100km would cost around $11.20 per 100km, based on an average fuel price of $2.80 per litre.
To help decide which car is right for you, you can use the NZ GOVT Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority vehicle total cost of ownership tool, or refer to the fuel economy labels that all motor vehicle traders or car dealerships must display on vehicles (except electric vehicles). These labels include the fuel economy in litres per 100km, the estimated running costs per year, and a star rating indicating fuel efficiency—the more stars, the more economical.
Once you've purchased a fuel-efficient car, there are several driving techniques you can adopt to further improve fuel economy and reduce costs:
- Maintain correct tyre pressure: Check your tyre pressure often and fill them when the warning light comes on. The correct PSI for your vehicle is usually listed inside the driver's side door. Maintaining the right tyre pressure reduces fuel consumption and prolongs tyre life.
- Reduce cargo load: Extra cargo reduces fuel efficiency, so unpack the car when you get home and only leave what you need for your next drive.
- Plan your trips: Combine multiple trips into one to save on fuel and reduce the need for warming up your engine, which takes more gas and energy in cooler weather.
- Drive less: The best way to reduce fuel consumption is simply to drive less. Challenge yourself to refill your tank as infrequently as possible.
- Avoid busy roads: Opt for roads with fewer stoplights, intersections, and pedestrians to maintain a more consistent speed and reduce fuel usage.
- Accelerate gently: Aggressive acceleration uses more fuel. Take five seconds to accelerate up to 20km/h from a stop, and maintain a steady speed to avoid wasting fuel.
- Stay within speed limits: Most vehicles are most fuel-efficient when travelling between 50 and 80km/h. Above this range, vehicles use more fuel the faster they go.
- Use cruise control: On highways, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed and reduce fuel consumption.
- Look ahead: Anticipate the movements of pedestrians and other cars to keep a steady speed and avoid unnecessary braking, which wastes forward momentum.
- Turn off your engine: When stopped for over 60 seconds, turn off your engine to save fuel, except when in traffic.
By adopting these fuel-efficient driving techniques, you can save hundreds of dollars in fuel each year, improve road safety, and reduce wear on your vehicle.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find the fuel economy of your car by looking at the fuel economy label. This label is a New Zealand Government-authorised ticket that explains the fuel efficiency of a car using a star rating system. The more stars, the more economical the car.
The fuel economy rating displayed as 'xx' litres per 100km or 'xx' L/100km means that for every 100km driven, your car will consume 'xx' litres of fuel. The lower the litres per 100km, the more economical the car.
If you want to calculate your fuel economy, you can divide the litres it took to refill the tank by the distance travelled and multiply by 100. Alternatively, you can wait until your tank is fairly empty before refilling and then divide the cost of your fuel per tank by the kilometres driven to find out your fuel cost per kilometre.
Many factors can affect the fuel economy of your car, including your driving style, vehicle loading, tyre type and pressure, wind direction, traffic conditions, and accessories fitted to the vehicle. Additionally, using the wrong type of fuel may lead to increased fuel consumption and engine wear.
