Taiwan Gas Stations Guide: Fuel Types (92/95/98), Prices & Self-Service Tips for Foreign Drivers
If you are planning a self-drive trip around Taiwan, knowing how gas stations work is essential. Taiwan has an efficient network of fuel stations, but the variety of fuel types, self-service processes, and local brands can be confusing for first-time visitors. This guide by Goodcars Taiwan explains everything you need to know about fueling up in Taiwan — from reading the pump to paying without cash.
⛽ How it works with GoodCars: you do not pay at the pump
Since June 2025 GoodCars charges rental plus a mileage fee. Every car comes with a dedicated fuel card: swipe it when you refuel, you never pay for fuel yourself, and there is no full-to-full rule. Fuel is settled by the kilometres actually driven — rates are published on the mileage fee page. Paid for fuel anyway? Keep the receipt and it is credited in full. The fuel grades, prices and self-service steps below are for when you do pay yourself.
Understanding Taiwan Fuel Types: 92, 95, 98, and Diesel
Taiwan gas stations sell fuel classified by octane rating. Higher octane means better resistance to engine knock, and is required for higher-compression engines.
⛽ Taiwan Fuel Types Explained
- 92 Unleaded (92 無鉛汽油) — Cheapest option. Suitable for older vehicles or certain motorcycles. Rarely used by modern rental cars.
- 95 Unleaded (95 無鉛汽油) — Most common. Standard for the vast majority of rental vehicles including VIOS, YARIS, SIENTA, ALTIS, and CAMRY. This is what you will use most often.
- 98 Unleaded (98 無鉛汽油) — Premium fuel for high-performance or turbocharged engines. Some drivers prefer this for SUVs like the RAV4 or CRV.
- Diesel (柴油) — For trucks, buses, and diesel-engine SUVs. Never put diesel in a petrol car — if you do, stop immediately and do not start the engine.
⚠️ Before You Refuel: Check Your Fuel Cap
Open the fuel cap door of your rental car — the inside of the cap almost always shows the required fuel type (e.g. "95 無鉛" or "Unleaded 95"). If you are unsure, ask the Goodcars staff at pickup. Using the wrong fuel can damage the engine and may void rental insurance.
🚗 Check the price first
Enter your dates, pick-up branch and car type — GoodCars quotes you instantly online and you can lock the car in without waiting for a reply.
Check rates & bookHow to Find the Right Fuel for Your Rental Car
🔍 3 Ways to Confirm Your Fuel Type
- Inside the fuel cap — The most reliable method. A label or embossed text tells you the octane requirement.
- Near the fuel gauge on the dashboard — Some vehicles have a small sticker near the fuel indicator.
- Ask Goodcars staff — Our team will confirm the fuel type at vehicle pickup. You can also call the branch anytime during your rental.
Major Gas Station Brands in Taiwan
Two brands dominate Taiwan's fuel market, with stations found on highways, city streets, and rural roads.
CPC Corporation (台灣中油)
Taiwan's state-owned petroleum company. Recognizable by its red-and-green logo. CPC has the widest network nationwide, including all highway service area stations. Prices are announced every Tuesday and take effect Wednesday morning, adjusted based on international crude oil rates.
Formosa Petrochemical (台塑石化 / FPC)
Taiwan's largest private refiner, with an orange logo. FPC stations are widely distributed across cities and townships, and pricing is typically comparable to CPC. Service quality is consistently reliable.
📍 Where to Find Gas Stations in Taiwan
- Highway rest stops (service areas) — Always have a 24-hour CPC station. The safest and most convenient option on the freeway.
- City arterial roads — Stations appear every 1-3 km. Search "gas station" or "加油站" on Google Maps.
- East Coast & rural areas — Stations can be over 20 km apart. Refuel when you drop below half a tank.
- Mountain roads (Alishan, Hehuanshan) — stations are scarce. Fill up before you head in (just swipe the fuel card) rather than waiting until the gauge is low.
Taiwan Fuel Prices: What to Expect
Taiwan adjusts fuel prices weekly. Compared globally, Taiwan's petrol prices are moderate — cheaper than most of Europe and Japan, slightly higher than the United States.
💰 Relative Price Comparison by Fuel Grade
- 92 Unleaded — Cheapest, roughly NT$1-2 cheaper per liter than 95
- 95 Unleaded — Standard reference price. Used by most rental vehicles.
- 98 Unleaded — Premium, approximately NT$3-5 more per liter than 95
- Diesel — Usually cheaper than 95 gasoline; check at the pump
- Self-service discount — NT$1-2 per liter cheaper than full-service at the same station
To check the current weekly price: search "CPC oil price" or visit the CPC Corporation Taiwan website.
🚗 Book Your Rental Car with Goodcars
Goodcars provides well-maintained vehicles across 20 branches in Taiwan — including economy, family, and premium options. Every car comes with a dedicated fuel card, so you never pay at the pump.
Check Rental Car OptionsHow to Use Self-Service Gas Stations in Taiwan
(The steps below apply when you pay for the fuel yourself. With a GoodCars fuel card you simply present the card at this point.)
Most Taiwan gas stations offer both full-service and self-service pumps. Self-service is NT$1-2 per liter cheaper, and the process is straightforward once you understand the steps.
📋 Self-Service Fueling: Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Pull up to a self-service pump island — Position your car so the fuel cap faces the pump. Check which side your fuel cap is on before pulling in.
- Step 2: Select your fuel grade — On the screen or keypad, choose 95 (or your required grade). Each grade corresponds to a color-coded nozzle.
- Step 3: Choose payment method — Options typically include cash, credit/debit card (insert into machine), or mobile payment (Taiwan Pay, LINE Pay — varies by station).
- Step 4: Remove the nozzle and open your fuel cap — Pick up the nozzle matching your selected grade and insert it firmly into your tank.
- Step 5: Squeeze the trigger to start fueling — The pump will stop automatically when the tank is full or your preset limit is reached.
- Step 6: Return nozzle, close fuel cap, collect receipt — Replace the nozzle, close your fuel door, and print or take your receipt.
Payment Methods at Taiwan Gas Stations
- Cash (NT$) — Always accepted. Minimum transaction is usually NT$100.
- Visa / Mastercard — Widely accepted at full-service stations. Self-service machines vary.
- JCB — Accepted at some stations, especially in tourist areas.
- Taiwan Pay / LINE Pay / Apple Pay — Available at newer self-service machines; look for the QR code icon on the screen.
- CPC / FPC membership apps — If you are staying in Taiwan for an extended period, these apps offer point rewards and small discounts.
Full Service vs. Self-Service: Which Should You Choose?
- First time in Taiwan or unsure of process → Use full service. Say "95, 加滿 (jiā mǎn)" or just hold up 2 fingers for a NT$500 fill — staff will understand.
- Want to save money on a long trip → Self-service saves NT$1-2 per liter — meaningful on a 40-liter tank.
- On the highway → Highway service area stations are full-service only.
Gas Station Opening Hours in Taiwan
- Highway service area stations — Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
- City main road stations — Typically 06:00–22:00; some are 24 hours
- Rural area stations — Usually 07:00–21:00; may close earlier on weekends
- Mountain area stations — Hours vary widely; refuel at the last town before heading up
Fueling Tips for Goodcars Rental Customers
🚗 Goodcars Fuel Policy & Tips
- Fuel card, no full-to-full — since June 2025 GoodCars charges rental plus a per-kilometre mileage fee. Your car comes with a dedicated fuel card: swipe it at the pump, pay nothing yourself, and hand the car back without topping it up. If you do pay for fuel, keep the receipt — it is credited in full against the mileage fee.
- Standard fuel for all models: 95 Unleaded — VIOS, YARIS, SIENTA, ALTIS, CAMRY, RAV4, and CRV all run on 95 unleaded. Do not use 92 or diesel.
- Wrong fuel emergency — Do NOT start the engine if you put in the wrong fuel. Call Goodcars customer service immediately and wait for assistance.
- Keep your fuel receipt — A printed receipt at return time serves as proof that you filled the tank.
- Remote area rule — Refuel whenever you drop below half a tank in eastern Taiwan, mountain roads, or rural areas. Stations can be 20+ km apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use a foreign credit card at Taiwan gas stations?
A: Yes, most full-service stations accept Visa and Mastercard from foreign banks. Self-service machines vary — carry some NT$ cash as backup.
Q2: Is fuel expensive in Taiwan compared to my home country?
A: Taiwan fuel prices are moderate globally — cheaper than most of Europe, comparable to or slightly higher than Japan, and more expensive than the US. For a typical rental car with a 40-liter tank, a full fill costs roughly NT$1,200–1,600 depending on current prices.
Q3: Do Taiwan gas stations sell food and drinks?
A: Highway service area stations always have a convenience store (7-Eleven or FamilyMart) and sometimes a full restaurant next door. City stations may have small shop areas.
Q4: The pump screen is in Chinese — what do I do?
A: Look for the numbers 92, 95, or 98 on the buttons — these are the same in Chinese. Press the number for your required fuel. If you see a language toggle (語言切換), tap it to switch to English. Otherwise, use the full-service lane and say "95, 加滿 (jiā mǎn)" — staff will handle the rest.
Q5: Are there EV charging stations in Taiwan?
A: Yes. Tesla Superchargers, CPC EV stations, and Evoasis charging hubs are expanding across Taiwan. Goodcars currently operates petrol vehicles, so EV charging is not required for our rental fleet.
Q6: What happens if I accidentally put diesel in a petrol car?
A: Stop immediately. Do NOT turn the key or start the engine. Call Goodcars customer service — the tank will need to be professionally drained. The cost of this repair will be the renter's responsibility if caused by misuse, so always double-check before fueling.
🚗 Start Your Taiwan Road Trip with Goodcars
With 20 pickup locations across Taiwan — including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and more — Goodcars makes self-driving Taiwan simple and stress-free. All vehicles are serviced regularly and delivered with a full tank.
View All Rental Options📸 Photo Credits
All images sourced from Unsplash (unsplash.com) — free for commercial use. Images are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual Goodcars vehicles or customers.
⚠️ AI Collaboration Notice
Parts of this article were written with AI assistance. Gas station availability, opening hours, fuel prices, and payment options may change. Always verify current information via official sources (CPC website, Google Maps, or Goodcars customer service) before your trip. Goodcars reserves the right to modify rental terms and pricing.
