GTA 6: How Gas and Electric Vehicle Refueling Works

The inclusion of vehicle refueling in Grand Theft Auto VI has split the fanbase. Some players find it overly demanding, while others argue the franchise's other realistic systems, such as relationships and police escapes, make fuel management overdue.

How Fueling Works

Details remain unofficial, but current information points to at least two vehicle types: gasoline-powered cars and fully electric ones. Hybrids might exist, though that has not been confirmed. Gasoline cars will require a quick time event that lasts around ten seconds. Players must hold the pump, keep R2 or RB pressed, and wait until the tank fills. Electric vehicles will need to be recharged, though specifics are still unclear.

More Than Just a Pit Stop

Running out of fuel while driving a stolen car could create serious trouble. If you have a Wanted level and need to detour to a gas station, your escape becomes much harder. This adds a layer of risk that previous GTA games never had.

Rockstar appears to want players to form a bond with their vehicles. In past installments, you could ditch a car at any moment and steal another. Now, if you have just spent money on fuel to make a dependable getaway car, you'll think twice before abandoning it.

Refueling Across Gaming History

Filling up a car has appeared in many games, from racing titles to simulation experiences like My Summer Car, The Long Drive, and Pacific Drive. Some games implement it in frustrating ways: Deadly Premonition offered only one gas station with limited hours, and Mizzurna Falls had a free, always-open station but a bizarre Flintstones-style backup when out of gas. In Final Fantasy 15, an empty tank forced you to push the car, though upgrades and flight made that rare.

Whether GTA 6's refueling feels like a chore or an immersive touch remains to be seen. The mechanic signals a deliberate shift toward greater realism in the series.

What do you think about having to refuel in GTA 6? Is it an exciting addition or an unnecessary hassle?