Scenario

Fuel price 2026, how to save on petrol and diesel

Petrol is once again weighing on the budget of Italian households. Once again, the price of petrol and diesel is moving in tune with geopolitics.

by Simonluca Pini

4 March 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Driving better to consume less
Connected navigation to avoid traffic and waste
The correct use of hybrid cars

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The escalation of the war in Iran reignited tensions in global energy markets and immediately dragged up oil prices. Within hours, barrels were back on the rise and the first consequences could be seen at the pump. The crux is always the same. In a context of unstable prices, the room for manoeuvre for motorists lies not so much in the cost of the raw material as in everyday behaviour. Technology and driving style can make the difference between one fill-up and the next.

Technology that helps you pay less at the pump

The first level of savings is the choice of distributor. There can be differences of up to several cents per litre between stations located a few kilometres away. A range that, multiplied by the number of litres of a fill-up and the number of fill-ups over the year, has a real impact on the household budget. In recent years, smartphone applications have become popular that allow fuel prices to be compared in real time. Platforms such as Prezzi Benzina (Petrol Prices), Fuelio or Gasoline Now take advantage of geolocalisation to show the nearest petrol stations on a map and indicate the current cost of petrol and diesel. The motorist can thus choose the most convenient refuelling without having to unnecessarily wander around petrol stations. A small digital gesture that, over time, translates into concrete savings.

Driving better to consume less

Driving style is crucial for saving money. Even with the same car, consumption can change significantly depending on how you use the accelerator and brake. This is where hypermiling comes in. The term originated in the United States and indicates a set of driving techniques aimed at maximising the distance travelled with each litre of fuel. These are not extreme strategies, but more conscious and anticipatory driving. The driver observes traffic earlier, avoids hard acceleration and exploits vehicle inertia whenever possible. One of the key elements of this philosophy is what is known as speeding. In many modern cars, especially hybrids or those equipped with advanced automatic transmissions, the system can decouple the engine when the accelerator is released. The car proceeds by inertia, as if it were 'gliding' on the asphalt, minimising fuel consumption.

The principle is simple; if the traffic in front slows down or a red light is approaching, instead of holding the accelerator all the way and braking sharply, it is better to let the car flow by using its kinetic energy. It is a technique that requires a little extra attention to the road, but it can reduce fuel consumption and make driving smoother at the same time. Constant speed is also a determining factor. Constant changes in pace are one of the main causes of wasted fuel. This is why driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, can indirectly contribute to improving efficiency.

Connected navigation to avoid traffic and waste

Another often underestimated tool is connected navigation systems. Built-in platforms in modern cars or navigation apps on smartphones collect traffic data in real time and suggest alternative routes to avoid delays and traffic jams. Getting stuck in traffic means more than just wasting time. The engine keeps running in inefficient conditions, with continuous stop-and-go that increase fuel consumption. A connected navigation system, on the other hand, can identify less congested roads or recalculate the route during the journey. Reducing time spent in traffic also means reducing fuel burned unnecessarily.

The correct use of hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are now well established on the automotive scene. However, the real savings depend very much on how they are used. Traditional hybrids are most efficient in urban traffic. Here, the electric motor intervenes at start-up and low speeds, reducing the use of the internal combustion engine. Smooth driving, without sudden acceleration, allows the system to recover more energy when braking and to use the electric mode more often. Even more obvious is the case with plug-in hybrids. These cars have larger batteries and can travel tens of kilometres in fully electric mode. But this advantage only exists if the battery is recharged regularly. A plug-in used without recharging loses much of its efficiency and behaves like a heavier petrol car. Connecting it to the home network or public charging stations therefore becomes an integral part of the savings strategy. In daily commuting, especially in urban areas, e-mobility can significantly reduce fuel consumption.