The fuel policy is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — aspects of a car rental. Get it wrong and you could pay double for your fuel. Here's a plain guide to every policy type.
Full-to-Full (Recommended)
You receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. This is almost always the cheapest option and the one we recommend. The only catch: make sure you find a petrol station before you return the car.
Full-to-Empty
You receive a full tank and are expected to return the car empty. You pay for the fuel upfront at the rental company's price — which is almost always higher than pump price. Unless you're driving an enormous distance, you'll overpay.
Pre-Purchase / Pre-Pay
Similar to full-to-empty: you pay upfront for a tank of fuel at the rental company's price. The difference: you don't need to return empty — any fuel left in the tank is forfeited. This is almost never good value.
Same-to-Same
You return the car with the same fuel level as when you collected it. Usually applies to electric vehicles or when the car is collected with less than a full tank.
Electric Vehicle Charging
For EV rentals, policies vary. Some companies require you to return with a specific charge percentage. Others include a home charging cable and ask you to charge as needed.
Our Recommendation
Always choose full-to-full. It's transparent, fair, and almost always the cheapest. Fill up within 5 miles of the drop-off point to avoid getting charged for fuel by the company.