It’s 7:45 a.m. at a small suburban gas station. The sky is still grey, the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, and you’re standing there, hand frozen on the pump, watching the price race ahead of your budget. On the tiny screen, the numbers blur: euros, cents, liters… It’s hard to know what you’re really spending, beyond the painful total at the end.
Next to you, a driver sighs, pulls out his phone, and starts tapping on a calculator. He wants to know how much this full tank will actually cost him per 100 km on his daily commute. Too late. The receipt spits out, and he leaves with the same feeling as always: vague frustration, no real control, and the impression of being in the dark.
From February 12, that’s going to change in a very concrete way at gas stations across the country. And it starts right on the pump.
The Game-Changing Display That Makes Fuel Costs Crystal Clear
Starting February 12, fuel stations nationwide must display new gas station mandatory information at every pump: an estimate of the cost per 100 kilometers for each type of fuel. Not a marketing slogan, not a vague average, but a clear, standardized indication based on official data.
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The concept is brilliantly simple. Instead of only seeing the price per liter, drivers will also see how much, on average, that fuel actually costs to drive 100 km. This new display will sit alongside the usual price per liter – same pump, same location, one more line that speaks directly to daily life.
“We’re finally giving consumers the information they need to make real comparisons,” explains energy market analyst Sarah Chen. “When you see that diesel costs €7.20 per 100km while premium gasoline runs €9.50, suddenly the choice becomes much clearer.”
You don’t need to be good at math to compare anymore. You fill up with regular unleaded, diesel, or E85, and instantly you can see the real impact on your wallet in concrete, “per 100 km” terms. The numbers are no longer abstract.
What Exactly Will You See at the Pump
This gas station mandatory information will transform how fuel pricing is displayed. Here’s exactly what changes:
- Cost per 100 kilometers displayed prominently for each fuel type
- Standardized format across all stations nationwide
- Calculations based on official government fuel efficiency data
- Updates required weekly to reflect current pricing
- Clear, readable font size matching price-per-liter displays
- Positioning directly below or beside traditional price displays
The new displays will show information in a standardized table format that looks something like this:
| Fuel Type | Price per Liter | Cost per 100km |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Unleaded | €1.45 | €8.70 |
| Diesel | €1.38 | €7.20 |
| Premium | €1.58 | €9.50 |
| E85 | €0.85 | €6.80 |
“This transparency will force stations to compete on real value, not just sticker price,” notes automotive economist David Martinez. “Consumers can now see which fuel actually saves them money over distance.”
Why This Changes Everything for Drivers
The impact goes far beyond simple convenience. This gas station mandatory information addresses a fundamental problem that has frustrated drivers for decades – the inability to quickly compare the true cost of different fuels.
Consider Maria, a sales representative who drives 800 kilometers per week. Under the old system, she’d see diesel at €1.38 per liter and regular gas at €1.45. The seven-cent difference seemed minimal. Now she’ll see that diesel costs her €57.60 per week while gasoline would cost €69.60 – a €12 weekly difference that adds up to over €600 annually.
The new requirements also benefit occasional drivers who previously avoided certain fuels due to price confusion. E85, often dismissed because of its lower efficiency, now shows its true cost advantage clearly displayed.
Environmental considerations become clearer too. When drivers see the real cost comparison, they can factor in both their budget and environmental preferences without needing complex calculations.
What Gas Station Owners Must Do
Station operators face specific requirements under the new gas station mandatory information rules:
- Install compliant displays at every pump by February 12
- Update cost-per-100km figures weekly, or whenever prices change
- Use government-approved calculation methods for each fuel type
- Maintain displays in working condition with clear, readable text
- Face penalties for non-compliance starting March 1
The regulations specify that calculations must use standardized vehicle efficiency ratings, not manufacturer claims or best-case scenarios. This ensures consistency across all stations.
“Station owners initially worried about implementation costs, but the displays are relatively simple additions to existing systems,” explains fuel industry consultant Rebecca Torres. “The bigger concern is ensuring staff understand the weekly update requirements.”
How This Affects Your Daily Commute
For the millions of people who drive regularly, this change means making fuel decisions based on actual impact rather than guesswork. The 45-minute commuter can now see exactly how much their daily round trip costs with different fuel options.
Fleet managers and business owners gain immediate clarity for cost planning. When a company car travels 2,000 kilometers monthly, the difference between fuel options becomes substantial and clearly visible.
Even weekend road trippers benefit. Planning a 600-kilometer vacation drive? The pump now shows exactly what that distance will cost in fuel, making budget planning effortless.
The psychological impact may prove just as significant as the practical benefits. Drivers report feeling more in control when they understand exactly what they’re paying for in real-world terms.
FAQs
When exactly does this gas station mandatory information requirement start?
All gas stations must display the new cost-per-100km information starting February 12, with enforcement beginning March 1.
Will this make fuel more expensive?
No, the requirement only changes how pricing information is displayed, not the actual fuel prices.
What happens if a gas station doesn’t comply?
Stations face fines starting at €500 for non-compliance, with penalties increasing for repeated violations.
Are the cost-per-100km calculations accurate for my specific car?
The calculations use standardized efficiency ratings, so your actual costs may vary slightly based on your driving style and vehicle condition.
Will this apply to electric charging stations too?
Currently, the requirements apply only to traditional fuel pumps, but similar rules for EV charging stations are under consideration.
How often will the cost-per-100km information be updated?
Stations must update these displays at least weekly, or whenever fuel prices change significantly.