Russia’s fix for its fuel shortage: let gas stations sell the low-grade fuel that harms modern cars
Starting September 1, Russian gas stations will be allowed to sell gasoline and diesel fuel classified as Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4. The government has adopted a decree to that effect, the Energy Ministry said.
The measure is billed as “temporary” and will remain in effect until June 30, 2027.
“The decree is temporary in nature and serves as a tool for responding quickly to current conditions in the fuel market. It will help make supplies more stable and reduce the risk of shortages of certain types of fuel,” the Energy Ministry said.
The ministry said gas stations will be required to give customers full information about the environmental class of the fuel they sell.
Since early August, amid a fuel crisis, the government has allowed oil refineries to import and supply fuel under domestic contracts in lower environmental classes. At that point, selling it at gas stations was still restricted.
Euro-2 and Euro-3 gasoline and diesel contain elevated levels of sulfur and other harmful impurities, which makes them damaging to both the environment and modern cars.
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