Rental car Diesel vs Gas (Petrol)

Quit thinking so hard. Get what's the cheapest. You can't drive that far in a week. That little Fiat can't burn two hundred bucks worth of gasoline in a week figuring you somehow put a thousand miles on it.

The company from whom you are hiring the car will be able to tell you the difference in rental cost if any. Without seeing their quotes it would be difficult for us to tell. Italian fuel is some of the most expensive in Europe. That national average for unleaded in September is €1.77 per litre. Diesel is at €1.68 per litre. That's about $9.07 a US gallon for unleaded, $8.61 for diesel. But, as Ed says, how many miles will you be driving the tiny car? One tank? 2? Get what's best on the day. Just don't mix up the hoses. And don't drive in Italy without an IDP - International Drivers Permit - from the AAA. It is the law.

As mentioned above, at most you'll be driving 600-700 km. A small gasoline car probably gets 14-15km/lt, so you'll spend maybe 90 euro in gasoline, if they give you a gasoline car.
Diesel engines might give you 18-20 km/lt, so for the same distance traveled you might save, at most, 25 or 30 euro for that week. I wouldn't lose sleep over 25 euro. Besides, I bet they might give you a Panda diesel anyhow. Rental car companies keep in their fleet cars that are easier to resell. Since in Italy (and Europe) diesel cars sell like hot cakes, chances are you'll get a diesel even if you didn't want one.

Thank you everyone. We will be traveling all over Tuscany for the 7 days we are there as well as taking a day trip up to CT. And as mentioned above we drive to Venice for the next leg of our trip where drop off the car and start using public transportation.

@Nigel, "That national average for unleaded in September is €1.77 per litre. Diesel is at €1.68 per litre." People in the lower mainland (Vancouver) area get very upset if the price hits C$1.50 per litre (which sometimes happens, especially on a holiday weekend - go figure). In this part of the world, regular petrol is at about C$129.9 per litre today. Cheers!

Just got back from Italy had a diesel VW Golf. Rented from Hertz thru AAA pick up car in Venice dropped off in Milan which was the only bad rental car experience I had. Trying to find the rental car drop off at Linate Airport was horrible the airport has extensive remodeling going on avoid dropping car off at this airport. Drove all over Tuscany and to Assisi and Lake Como buying diesel gas was no problem actually used the stations that had service it was great. Price was a little bit more for diesel but the car got great mileage.

Unlike in the US, diesel is always cheaper than petrol in Europe. If your rental uses diesel, just be aware of one detail when filling up- most cars require a low-sulphur diesel formulation, which differs from that used by long distance tractor trailers. So, if the pump you're using has a picture of a truck instead of a car on it, it's the wrong one.

diesel is always cheaper than petrol in Europe except the UK. I realize that this thread is for Italy, but the UK is notionally within Europe and is an exception. It varies from filling station to other but tends to be about 5 pence more expensive per litre than unleaded in England.

Diesel is more expensive than gas in Switzerland as well more often than not.

My friends and I routinely rent a Panda diesel for a couple of weeks in Italy and it's fine for the three of us and three carryons.

Thank you everyone. Since diesels over here in the US aren't as prevalent I had no idea Fiat's even made diesel engine cars. Thank you so much for all the input. Mike

The price of diesel fuel is not that different from the price of gasoline, but diesel cars will get 50% more mileage per gallon for the same type of car. Also the Diesel engine is more efficient and releases more horsepower and torque. A diesel car will go up a steep hill faster than a gasoline car goes downhill.

Just a heads up...the diesel handle is NOT the green one like here in the U.S. There should be a colored dot on the gas cover which corresponds to the color of the pump handle you want to use. If not sure ask. Don't ask me how I know.

But, a diesel car will run with a little bit of gas (hot) and a gas car with a little bit of diesel (chugs). You can feel the difference on your fingers. Don't ask me how I know, either.