Novice question here. We're renting a car in Tours, France and spending a week in the Loire Valley. There is an option to rent a diesel car, but, how commonly available is diesel at gas stations in the Loire valley? Here in Indiana it's hit or miss, and you might run out of gas before you find a station with diesel, and when you do it's significantly more expensive than regular unleaded. Thanks!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23313 posts
I would guess that a significant number if not a majority of European cars are diesel. Diesel is available in every station.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
1525 posts
Diesel cars are common in Europe because they get better mileage (kilometerage?) than regular. The fuel is available everywhere and it is likely to be a bit LESS expensive than regular. Just a guess here, but it's probably taxed at a lower rate to promote its use. Nothing to worry about at all.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7042 posts
There's lots of discussion about this issue on another recent thread. Search on this: RENTAL CAR IN FRANCE - GAS OR DIESEL It convinced me to get a diesel car.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
At least a few years ago France had the highest percentage of diesel-fuelled cars in Europe. Diesel is available at almost every station.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
265 posts
I would actually go even further and claim that there isn't a single gas station in France that hasn't got diesel fuel - and I am almost willing to make a bet!
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Diesel is the primary fuel in Europe. You will not find a gas station without Diesel. However, occassionally you do find gas station with only one of the "regular" gas types, E90, E95 or SuperPlus. In French, Diesel is either "gazole" or "gasoil".
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19104 posts
You can see the up-to-date prices for fuel at this website. Diesel is less.
Posted by
Texas
518 posts
Just be careful of the hose color. It is NOT THE SAME as here. In the UK it is opposite to here. Diesel in UK is black and gasoline is green. Not sure if it is that same way in France, but my memory says yes. You will destroy a diesel engine if you put in gasoline.