Not a tank, but a feature: fuel of reduced environmental classes began to enter circulation in the Russian Federation

Fuel of reduced environmental classes began to appear at Russian gas stations. Motorists noticed Euro-4 gasoline at gas stations in Penza, Perm, Tatarstan and the Kirov region. Since September 1, the government has allowed the sale of such fuel, but so far its supply remains extremely limited. In just over two weeks, only 16.7 thousand tons of Euro-2/4 gasoline were sold on the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange. Experts expect that low-grade fuel will be sold only in certain regions. What the systematic refueling of such gasoline threatens modern cars is in the material of Izvestia.

Where do they sell fuel of reduced environmental classes

Motorists can already fill up with Euro-4 gasoline at gas stations in a number of regions. Izvestia was told about the sale of such fuel in the Kirov region and Penza, earlier the media reported on its availability in Perm and Naberezhnye Chelny. In most cases, Euro-4 gasoline was noticed at Tatneft gas stations — the environmental class was marked "K4" on the columns. In Moscow, as of September 3, the Izvestia correspondent found no fuel of an ecological class below Euro-5.

Since the beginning of summer, against the background of high seasonal demand, fuel supply disruptions have occurred in a number of Russian regions. Among the reasons are strikes on the energy infrastructure and unscheduled repairs of a number of oil refineries. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the difficulties in the fuel market are temporary.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov

In early August, the government allowed until July 1, 2027, the production, import and release into circulation of gasoline of environmental classes K2, K3 and K4, corresponding to Euro-2, Euro-3 and Euro-4. Since September 1, the sale of such fuel at gas stations has also been allowed. The Ministry of Energy explained that the decision is temporary and is designed to respond promptly to the situation on the fuel market.

Gas stations should provide consumers with complete information about the ecological class of fuel sold so that citizens can independently decide on the choice of fuel, taking into account its characteristics, the ministry noted.

So far, there are few fuels of reduced environmental classes on the market. The National Stock Exchange Pricing Agency informed Izvestia that from August 13 to September 1, 16.74 thousand tons of petroleum products of environmental classes K2, K3 and K4 were sold on the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange. Of these, 11 thousand tons accounted for AI-92 gasoline, 2.5 thousand tons for AI—95, and 1.6 thousand tons each for AI-98 and diesel fuel. According to the editorial staff's calculations, this is about a third of the average daily sales volume of the corresponding petroleum products on the stock exchange in August.

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A source in the industry told Izvestia that the main supplies of fuel of reduced environmental classes come from the Orsk Refinery, as well as from the TANECO and TAIF plants in Nizhnekamsk. The editorial board sent inquiries to Tatneft, TAIF-NK and ForteInvest, which own the listed refining assets, as well as to the Ministry of Energy, but received no prompt responses.

Photo: Global Look Prerss/Svetlana Vozmilova

At the end of August, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russian vertically integrated oil companies continue to produce Euro-5 ecological fuel, and the share of petroleum products of reduced standards in the domestic market is less than 10%.

The Gazprom Neft press service informed Izvestia that all gas stations in the network sell gasoline and diesel fuel exclusively of the fifth ecological class (K5). Information about the characteristics of each batch of motor fuel can be obtained at the gas station sales halls and from station staff. Lukoil and Rosneft did not respond to editorial inquiries.

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In addition to the traditional supplier, Belarus, supplies to Russia are increasing in Kazakhstan, India and a number of other countries.

What to expect from such fuel

The demand for K2, K3 and K4 fuels will depend on the duration of repairs at the refinery. The transition to the use of gasoline with a higher sulfur content is associated with the forced downtime of some of the refining capacities, including hydrotreating and hydrocracking plants, explained Sergey Tereshkin, CEO of Open Oil Market.

In his opinion, fuel of lower environmental classes is likely to be sold in regions where there is a shortage due to the forced repair of local refineries.

Photo: Global Look Prerss/Svetlana Vozmilova

Euro-2, Euro-3 and Euro-4 gasoline will be in demand primarily among motorists, not industrial consumers, since freight and agro-industrial transport mainly uses diesel, Dmitry Gusev, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Reliable Partner Association, explained.

For cars older than 2015, gasoline of reduced environmental classes, as a rule, does not pose a threat, according to automotive expert Igor Morzharetto. The average age of a car fleet in Russia is about 16 years, so this fuel is suitable for more than half of the cars in the country. Cars with atmospheric internal combustion engines can also use it without significant consequences.

At the same time, for newer vehicles produced after about 2020, especially those equipped with sophisticated exhaust gas neutralization systems, the use of such fuel is undesirable. With a single refueling, the car's performance will not deteriorate, but it is not worth pouring such gasoline on a regular basis, the expert explained.