From the first cold mornings, the trip computer shows higher consumption. According to ADAC, a petrol car uses about 15% more fuel in winter and a diesel 24%. An electric car loses an even larger share of its range.
Winter petrol, which contains more butane, often gets the blame. Its effect is real, but small. Here are the causes, with figures, and what you can do about them.
✅ The key points in 30 seconds
- In winter, a petrol car uses about 15% more fuel and a diesel 24% (ADAC, Green NCAP tests).
- Short trips cost the most: up to 32% more fuel for a petrol car over 5 to 6 km at -7°C (based on US Department of Energy data).
- An electric car keeps on average 78% of its range at 0°C and 70% at -7°C. A heat pump gives back about 10% at 0°C.
- Winter petrol contains slightly less energy per litre. We found no European measurement of this effect. It counts for little compared with a cold engine.
- Tyres lose about 0.1 bar for every 10°C. Check the pressure cold every month.
How much more fuel do you use in winter?
| Car and conditions | Measured increase | Measured by |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol car | +15% consumption | ADAC, Green NCAP tests |
| Diesel car | +24% consumption | ADAC, Green NCAP tests |
| Petrol car, 5 to 6 km trips at -7°C | Up to +32% (from +18 to +49% depending on the car) | US Department of Energy |
| Hybrid at -7°C | +43 to +52% in town | US Department of Energy |
| Electric, 100 km at 0°C | +21 to +30% consumption | ADAC |
| Electric, 23 km trip at -7°C | About 40% less range | ADAC |
The US Department of Energy measures the drop in distance covered per litre at -7°C compared with 25°C. We converted it into an increase in consumption: 24% fewer kilometres per litre means 32% more fuel. The shorter the trip, the bigger the increase.
Why do you use more fuel in winter? The six causes
- The cold engine. This is the main cause. Until it reaches operating temperature, a combustion engine uses more fuel. On a trip of a few kilometres, it often never gets there.
- Heating and de-icing. In a combustion-engined car, the heat comes from the engine, but the fan, the heated rear window and the heated seats draw on the alternator. In an electric car, cabin heating needs 3,000 to 5,000 W, compared with about 75 W for a heated seat and steering wheel (Geotab).
- Denser air. At 0°C, air is about 7% denser than at 20°C. At the same speed, the car pushes more air.
- Tyres. Pressure drops by about 0.1 bar for every 10°C. According to Touring, one car in two is already running on under-inflated tyres.
- The 12 V battery. It is less efficient in cold weather and the alternator recharges it more.
- Winter fuel. Winter petrol is more volatile to make cold starts easier. Refiners add more butane to it. It contains slightly less energy per litre. We found no measurement of this gap in Europe.
Winter diesel contains additives that stop it from gelling. In Germany, ADAC says it is sold from mid-November to the end of February, works down to -20°C and costs no more. In Belgium, ask your filling station since when it has been selling winter diesel. Summer diesel starts to form paraffin wax at around -7°C.
How to limit extra fuel use in winter
- Drive off without warming up the engine. Start it, wait about thirty seconds and drive gently. Leaving the engine idling wastes fuel and costs a 64 € fine: see autumn driving fines.
- Combine your short trips. An engine that is still warm uses less on the next trip.
- Inflate your tyres cold, once a month, to the pressure shown on the door or the fuel filler flap.
- Use the heated seats and steering wheel rather than turning the heating up to maximum.
- Precondition an electric car while it is plugged in. About fifteen minutes is enough. The energy then comes from the grid and does not reduce the range.
- Remove the roof box and clear the boot of anything you do not need.
- Scrape the ice off rather than leaving the engine idling.
For the rest of your preparation, see our tips for getting your car ready for winter and our guide to winter and all-season tyres.
Electric car: how much range in winter?
- At 0°C, an electric car keeps on average 78% of its range, from 69% to 88% depending on the model (Recurrent, over 30,000 cars tracked in the United States).
- At -7°C, the average falls to 70%.
- At -15°C, 54% of the official range remains (Geotab, 4,200 cars).
- On a short trip at -7°C, ADAC measures a loss of 27% (BYD Atto 3) to 52% (Volkswagen ID.5).
- A heat pump gives back about 10% of range at 0°C. This gain disappears at around -18°C.
Also avoid the common mistakes described in our article on home charging points.
Buying a used electric car in winter
A low range shown in November says nothing about the battery's condition. It mainly reflects the temperature. Ask instead for the battery's state of health (SOH). Since 1 January 2026, it can appear on the Car-Pass for batteries of 10 kWh or more.
For a new electric car, check whether the heat pump is standard or optional. If you drive a lot in winter, include it in the specification. Also read our article on used electric car batteries.
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Buying or selling a car? Visit us in Wavre or call 010 56 13 80.
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Frequently asked questions about winter fuel consumption
Mainly because of the cold engine and short trips. Heating, denser air and lower tyre pressure add their share. ADAC measures about 15% more for a petrol car and 24% for a diesel.
Slightly. It contains more butane and slightly less energy per litre. We found no European measurement of this gap. It counts for little compared with a cold engine.
No. Start it, wait about thirty seconds and drive gently. The engine warms up faster while driving. Leaving it idling costs a 64 € fine.
On average 22% at 0°C and 30% at -7°C according to Recurrent. On a short trip in severe cold, the loss can exceed 40%.
Yes, by about 0.1 bar for every 10°C. A tyre inflated to 2.3 bar at 20°C drops to around 2.1 bar at 0°C.
If you often drive in cold weather, yes. It gives back about 10% of range at 0°C. The effect disappears at around -18°C.
Summer diesel starts to gel at around -7°C. Winter diesel contains additives: in Germany, ADAC rates it as usable down to -20°C. Fill up before a cold snap.
About the authors Louis and Nathan advise Garage Privé's customers in Wavre. Since 2018, the agency has been selling used cars on behalf of their owners, with a 118-point inspection and an optional warranty of up to 60 months.
Sources
- ADAC: electric car range in winter (in German)
- ADAC: winter diesel (8 January 2026, in German)
- US Department of Energy: fuel economy in cold weather
- Recurrent: electric car range in winter (19 November 2025)
- Geotab: range and temperature (30 October 2025)
- EUR-Lex: Directive 98/70/EC on the quality of petrol and diesel fuels
- Touring: the condition of Belgian drivers' tyres (9 April 2025, in French)
- Car-Pass: 2025 annual report (PDF, in French)