Contents
Fuel prices in Morocco: what you need to know
Why diesel remains at ease on long road trips
What the figures from our fleet actually say
When is a petrol engine the smarter choice?
At the service station: how it works
Fuel prices in Morocco: what you need to know
Fuel prices in Morocco have been deregulated for several years now. The state does not set them; they follow world markets and vary from one station to the next and from one region to another. A tank filled in the middle of a city will not cost exactly the same as one filled on a mountain road.
The historic gap between diesel and unleaded has closed: the two fuels now sell at very similar prices, so the type of fuel is no longer the deciding factor for your budget. Rather than trusting a price quoted in an article, just look at the figure displayed on the pump when you fill up. That is the only number that counts on the day of your trip.
Why diesel remains at ease on long road trips
If your trip involves crossing the Atlas passes, linking Fez to Merzouga or heading down the Atlantic south, diesel engines have solid arguments in their favour.
Their torque at low revs lets you tackle long high-altitude climbs without constantly dropping a gear, even with four passengers and their luggage. Driven calmly, on the open road at a steady speed, consumption stays low: somewhere between four and a half and five and a half litres per hundred kilometres depending on the model, the load and the terrain. These are not guaranteed figures, but they are enough to give you comfortable range between two stations in desert areas.
What the figures from our fleet actually say
Rather than quoting a theoretical saving in percent, here is the real state of the vehicles offered on Loccor. Petrol dominates our fleet by a wide margin, with 230 vehicles at an average price of 387 dirhams per day. Diesel accounts for 119 vehicles, at an average of 553 dirhams per day. Hybrids remain marginal, with 13 vehicles averaging 610 dirhams per day.
These averages do not mean that the same model is 30% cheaper in petrol form. The gap comes largely from the kind of vehicle involved: the diesels in our fleet are, on average, larger cars — SUVs and family estates — which rent for more whatever engine they carry. What can be said is that the petrol offer is more plentiful and generally sits at lower prices, not that there is a discount on an identical vehicle.
When is a petrol engine the smarter choice?
If your stay comes down to a city break — a weekend in Marrakech, a few days working in Casablanca, coastal drives around Agadir — with a few hundred kilometres on the clock, a petrol city car is very often the better calculation.
Over those distances the difference at the pump stays modest, and the decision hinges instead on the rental price, how easy the car is to park and how quiet it is in town. It is also the category where our fleet offers the most availability.
At the service station: how it works
In Morocco you never serve yourself: an attendant does it for you. State clearly which fuel you want, saying “Fill it with gasoil” or “Fill it with unleaded petrol”, and check that the pump meter has been reset to zero in front of you.
It is customary to leave the attendant a small coin, especially if he cleans your windscreen or checks your tyre pressures. Always carry cash in dirhams: many stations in the provinces do not accept foreign bank cards.
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask for diesel at a Moroccan service station?
The word “gasoil” is understood everywhere, including in Moroccan Arabic. For unleaded petrol, simply say “essence”.
What should I do if I put the wrong fuel in?
Whatever you do, do not start the engine, so the wrong fuel does not travel through the injection system. Have the car pushed out of the way and call the agency that handed it to you: it is the agency that arranges recovery and draining the tank.
Which fuel is cheapest in Morocco?
Both fuels now sit at very similar levels: the old gap in favour of diesel has closed. Prices are free and change from station to station and region to region, so trust the display on the pump on the day.
How do I know which fuel my rental car takes?
The fuel type is shown on the vehicle listing when you book, then repeated on the fuel flap and in the contract handed over by the agency. If in doubt, ask the agent to confirm when you collect the car.
Further reading
the economy city cars available on Loccor
rent a car in Marrakech for the long touring routes
our guide to tolls and motorways in Morocco
our comparison of local agencies and international brands
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.