How big should my tank system be? With a savings and reserve calculator
Your own tank system saves money – and keeps you independent when the Rhine runs low or a refinery shuts down. Work out which size suits your business.
If you use a lot of diesel, you pay extra at the filling station every month. With your own tank system you buy larger quantities, choose the timing yourself – and have a reserve when supply gets tight.
Three reasons for more volume
- Quantity price: the larger the delivery, the lower the price per litre. For heating oil, the gap between the smallest and largest quantity has been around CHF 15–16 per 100 litres for years (FSO) – the diesel scale is similar.
- Purchase timing: in 2026 diesel ranged between CHF 1.76 and 2.41 (FSO monthly averages). With a large tank you order when prices are low – not when the tank is empty.
- Reserve: Rhine low water in 2018 and 2022, the 2021 flood, the Cressier refinery shutdown and the pipeline problems in autumn 2026 show that shortages often last for weeks.
How to calculate
Choose your sector, adjust vehicles and machines or enter your annual consumption directly. The calculator shows the estimated saving for each tank size and how many working days your tank covers – compared with real shortages. All assumptions can be adjusted with your own prices.
Good to know: stationary generators may use heating oil instead of diesel with a usage commitment at the FOCBS – considerably cheaper. We're happy to advise you.
1 · Your consumption
Annual consumption: 121'000 l · per working day 484 l
2 · Tank size
★ smallest size that would have bridged all shortages listed below at your consumption3 · Result
- Delivered price instead of filling station: CHF 24'030 (20 Rp./l)
- Buying at low prices: CHF 940
- Fewer trips to the filling station: CHF 7'680
| Tank | Order size | CHF/l (estimated) | Reserve | Saving/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1'500 l | 1'148 l | 2.31 | 3 days | CHF 19'600 |
| 3'000 l | 2'295 l | 2.24 | 6 days | CHF 29'150 |
| 5'000 l | 3'825 l | 2.21 | 9 days | CHF 32'650 |
| 10'000 l | 7'650 l | 2.19 | 19 days | CHF 36'340 |
| 20'000 l | 15'300 l | 2.17 | 37 days | CHF 40'010 |
| 30'000 l | 22'950 l | 2.17 | 56 days | CHF 42'850 |
Non-binding estimate based on averages. Your actual prices depend on supplier, region, quantity and timing. Permits and system costs are covered in the quote.