Every car rental agency has its own policy. However, they do have a common policy that allows customers to choose a prepaid option when renting one of their vehicles. This prepaid option permits the driver to pay an upfront fee, as stated in the rental agreement, eliminating the need for the drive to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. No refund is given to the driver for any fuel that’s left in the tank when the vehicle is returned.
If you decide not to choose the prepaid plan, and you return your vehicle with a gas tank that’s less than full, you will most likely have to pay the rental company for having to refuel the vehicle. Their fuel charge will most likely be based on an estimate: the number of gallons needed to fill the tank times the cost per gallon as stated in the rental their rental agreement. Quite often, car rental agencies will charge a higher price per gallon than your local gas stations.