For years, drivers filling up their cars at petrol stations have faced a familiar dilemma: staring at the price per liter on the pump, trying to decide whether they’re actually getting a fair deal or simply guessing. Between loyalty card offers, hidden discounts, and constantly changing fuel markets, it hasn’t always been clear whether the number blinking back at you is competitive or overpriced. That uncertainty ends on February 12, when a new mandatory display rule goes into effect requiring gas stations to show additional, standardized information directly at the pump—information that empowers drivers and makes fuel prices much more transparent.
This rule might seem like a small change—a new line of text or a chart on the digital screen—but its impact could ripple through everyday driving decisions, consumer behavior, and even local competition among stations. The days of pumping fuel with only a vague sense of whether you’re overpaying are coming to an end.
What’s Changing at the Pump?
As of February 12, gas stations will be legally required to display a new set of information alongside the usual price per liter. Depending on the regulatory framework in each region, this information generally includes:
- A reference price or average fuel price — a benchmark based on either the national average or a regional average price for the same type of fuel.
- In some implementations, a comparison of equivalent travel costs — such as how much it costs to travel 100 km using petrol versus diesel versus electricity or other alternative fuels.
This isn’t merely a cosmetic or promotional addition. The goal is to give drivers clear, standardized context right where they make their purchase decisions—without having to open an app, check a website, or guess what “competitive” really means.
In practice, that means when you pull up to a pump and see a price of, say, €1.92 per liter of SP95-E10, you’ll also see the current national or regional average price for that fuel. If the average is €1.78 per liter, you instantly know your station is charging 14 cents more—a transparency that simply didn’t exist before.
In other implementations, especially in jurisdictions exploring broader energy comparisons, the pump may display a simple conversion showing how much it would cost to travel the same distance with different energy sources (e.g., petrol vs. electric), helping drivers compare energy costs on an equal footing.
Why This Matters
This new requirement is a win for consumers, and here’s why:
1. Drivers Can Easily Compare Prices
Until now, comparison tools existed—apps, websites, and government dashboards that show average fuel prices—but most drivers rarely consult them before every fuel stop. By bringing that information directly to the pump, authorities are removing friction from the decision process. The advantage is simple: you see the average price at the exact moment you decide to fill up. That helps you know instantly whether you’re paying above, below, or about the market rate.
Think of standing at a pump on a holiday weekend, watching the price climb. You’d no longer have to wonder if this station is overpriced compared with others nearby. The answer would be right in front of you.
2. More Informed Choice Can Influence Consumer Behavior
With clarity comes better decision-making. If a station’s prices are consistently higher than the displayed average, some drivers may choose to search for cheaper alternatives nearby, especially if prices vary significantly within short distances. Over time, this subtle shift could make local petrol markets more competitive and more driver-friendly.
For example, if one station is just a few cents above average and another is well above average, drivers can make rational choices based on actual data, not guesswork.
3. It Levels the Playing Field for Independent Stations
Large motorway service stations and independent city pumps have long operated under different economic conditions. Motorway pumps often charge premium prices simply because they have limited competition, while small independent stations compete more aggressively. Transparent average pricing helps show customers when they’re actually paying a market premium, and not just assuming that convenience equals fair pricing.
Some station owners already support the change, saying they are frequently under average but are grouped in public perception with pricier service stations that bear no competitive pressure.
4. It May Affect Future Energy Choices
In versions of the rule that require cost-per-distance comparisons between fuels and alternative energies—like electricity or LPG—you’re no longer confined to price per liter. Instead, you see cost per 100 km, which gives a far clearer picture of real running costs. That comparison isn’t just useful—it may nudge some drivers to rethink their energy choices over time, especially as electric cars become more common.
While this part of the new requirement doesn’t directly influence petrol prices, it contextualizes them in the broader market of transportation energy, giving drivers a better understanding of what their fuel truly costs in day-to-day driving.
How Drivers Can Use the New Display
Once the rule takes effect, using the new information effectively is straightforward:
- Check the displayed average price or energy comparison first.
- Compare it to the station price you’re about to pay.
- Decide whether to fill up fully, partially, or drive to a more competitive station nearby.
In other words, you’ll be able to make an informed decision in real time—something that was previously only possible with third-party tools or extra effort.
Experts recommend avoiding knee-jerk reactions to small differences; a gap of 1–2 cents per liter is often negligible, while differences above 5–10 cents could indicate a significant price premium.
What the Rule Does Not Do
It’s important to clarify what the new obligation does not do:
- It does not set price caps — stations can still set their own prices.
- It does not force stations to lower prices — it only shows reference information.
- It does not guarantee cheaper fuel everywhere, especially in remote areas where prices naturally run higher due to logistics.
Instead, this regulation enhances transparency, trusting drivers to use information to make smarter choices.
A Small Change With a Big Impact
At first glance, adding a simple extra line of text or a comparison chart at the pump might seem minor. But as drivers begin to routinely see where their local price sits relative to average or alternative cost data, habits will shift. Awareness builds competition, and competition can benefit consumers.
Imagine two drivers stopping at neighboring stations. One sees the average price displayed beside the station’s price and decides to fill up at a nearby cheaper alternative. The other driver sees the cost-per-distance comparison and begins to wonder if electricity might actually be a more economical choice for their next vehicle. These kinds of everyday decisions, multiplied across millions of drivers, can lead to more informed markets, better competition, and—ultimately—potentially more consumer-friendly pricing as drivers gravitate toward clarity rather than confusion.
Conclusion
From February 12, gas stations will no longer leave drivers in the dark about what they’re paying for fuel. With mandatory average price displays and, in some regions, energy cost comparisons right at the pump, drivers gain a simple but powerful tool to understand whether they’re paying a fair price.
This change doesn’t magically cut fuel costs overnight—but it does change the rules of the game. Fuel pricing becomes less about guesswork and more about informed choice. In a world where energy costs and consumer budgets are increasingly tight, that kind of transparency matters more than ever.
Whether you’re a daily commuter, a long-distance driver, or someone planning seasonal trips, this small update at the pump could lead to smarter spending and greater awareness each time you fill your tank
