Diesel, petrol, LPG or electric — what do you choose?
There's no universal answer. It depends on how many km you drive, where, and how. Here's a clear comparison guide.
Updated: July 2026 · Prices and costs are indicative — they vary depending on the model, fuel prices and local rates.
Quick comparison table
| Criterion | Petrol | Diesel | LPG | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost/100 km (indicative) | ~50–85 lei | ~35–65 lei | ~35–45 lei | ~20–30 lei |
| Purchase price | medium | medium–high | medium + installation | high |
| Maintenance | medium | more expensive | medium + LPG kit | reduced |
| Optimal km/year | < 15,000 | > 20,000 | > 20,000 | any, with charging |
| Ideal for | mixed city driving | long distances | heavy city driving | city/commuting |
🧮 How we calculated it: cost/100km = price/liter (or /kWh) × average real consumption per 100 km — not the WLTP consumption from the manual, which is 10-25% lower than real-world use. Fuel prices, July 2026: petrol ~8.6-8.7 lei/l, diesel ~9.1-9.5 lei/l, LPG ~4.5-4.6 lei/l, electricity (residential rate) ~1.2-1.4 lei/kWh. Average real consumption: petrol 6-10 l/100km, diesel 4-7 l/100km, LPG 8-10 l/100km, electric 15-22 kWh/100km. For electric we used the home charging rate — public fast charging can cost twice as much.
Petrol — balanced, good for anyone
The petrol engine is mechanically simple, reliable and cheaper to repair. The cost per km is higher than LPG, but it works for any type of use.
- Advantages: low purchase cost, relatively simple maintenance, good for city driving and short distances.
- Disadvantages: higher cost per km than LPG or electric.
- Who it's for: drivers with < 15,000 km/year, mixed use, no specific need for lower consumption.
Diesel — wins on long distances, loses in the city
The diesel engine uses less fuel per 100 km on the highway, but it has higher maintenance costs and specific issues with heavy city driving.
- Advantages: low consumption over long distances, high range per tank.
- Disadvantages: the particulate filter (DPF) clogs up when driving mostly in the city over short distances. Injectors are expensive. Not recommended under 20,000 km/year or if you drive mostly in town.
- Who it's for: > 20,000 km/year, mainly national roads and highway.
💡 If you mostly drive in the city but still want a diesel, choose a model you'll take on longer trips often (at least 30–40 min without stopping) so the DPF can regenerate properly.
LPG — the cheapest per km for heavy city driving
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) significantly reduces fuel cost compared to petrol (indicatively by 40-50%), and bi-fuel engines can also run on petrol when needed.
- Advantages: low cost per km, the car also runs on petrol, LPG refills at almost any station.
- Disadvantages: the LPG installation costs 2,000–4,000 lei (for cars without a factory-fitted system), mandatory periodic ISCIR inspection, smaller tank (lower LPG-only range).
- Who it's for: those who drive > 20,000 km/year, mostly in the city — they recoup the installation cost quickly through fuel savings.
Electric — the lowest cost per km, a different way of using the car
A pure electric vehicle has an energy cost per km roughly 2-3 times lower than petrol (with home charging, at the residential rate). But it changes the way you think about "refueling" the car.
- Advantages:
- Extremely low cost per km (especially with home or office charging, off-peak rate).
- No oil, oil filter, timing belt, clutch (on single-speed models) — much lower maintenance.
- Reduced car taxes (simpler ITP, exemption or reduced parking/environmental tax in some cities).
- Quiet driving, instant torque.
- Disadvantages:
- Significantly higher purchase price than the equivalent combustion model.
- Requires access to charging points — ideally at home (a wallbox) or at work.
- Range on very long distances depends on the fast-charging network and the weather outside (drops 20–30% in winter).
- The battery degrades over time — the cost of a second-hand battery pack can be significant.
- Who it's for: daily commuting or city use, access to charging at home/office, a higher purchase budget or favorable financing.
Summary — choose based on your driving style
- You drive few km, mixed use: petrol is the simple, hassle-free choice.
- You drive > 20,000 km/year on long trips: diesel pays off its lower consumption.
- You drive > 20,000 km/year in the city: LPG is the fastest to pay off.
- You have access to charging and the budget: electric is the cheapest and simplest to maintain long-term.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest fuel per km?
LPG has the lowest cost per km if you drive a lot in the city. Electric is even cheaper in energy cost, but it depends on access to charging and the model chosen.
Is an electric car worth it in Romania?
It's worth it if you drive in the city or commute daily, have somewhere to charge, and have the budget for the higher purchase price. Clear advantages: low cost per km, reduced maintenance, lower car taxes.
What problems does diesel have in the city?
The particulate filter (DPF) clogs up on short city distances. Injectors are expensive. Diesel only pays off from 15–20,000 km/year, mainly on long trips.
Is LPG safe?
Yes, if the installation is certified and periodically inspected (ISCIR is mandatory). Factory-fitted LPG cars have the same safety as petrol-only ones.