Russia allows import and sale of lower-grade gasoline amid fuel shortage
Russia’s government will allow the production, import, and sale of “Euro-2,” “Euro-3,” and “Euro-4” class automotive gasoline until July 1, 2027, the country’s Energy Ministry announced on its Telegram channel.
“Filling stations will display information about the environmental class of the fuel being sold. The information will be accessible and presented in a clear format. This will allow citizens to make an informed choice when purchasing fuel of a particular environmental class,” the statement said.
The ministry asserted the decision “is temporary in nature” and aims at “ensuring a stable supply of automotive fuel to the domestic market and preventing a possible shortage.”
“At the same time, this does not mean a revision of the government’s long-term policy on environmental requirements for motor fuel. The relaxations that have been introduced apply only for a limited period and are an anti-crisis measure,” the Energy Ministry insisted.
Russia’s fuel crisis has dragged on for more than two months. Gasoline shortages at filling stations were driven in part by increasingly frequent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, forcing many facilities to temporarily halt fuel production.
‘Euro-2’ and ‘Euro-3’ class gasoline and diesel are harmful to the environment and to modern cars. They contain far higher levels of sulfur and other hazardous impurities than modern ‘Euro-5’ fuel.
The sale of ‘Euro-2’ fuel in Russia was banned starting in 2013.
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