Russia Allows Sale of Low-Eco Fuel at Gas Stations
Low environmental class gasoline was allowed to be sold at fuel stations. The Russian government adopted a decree permitting the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel of environmental classes 'Euro-2', 'Euro-3', 'Euro-4', and 'Euro-5' at fuel stations from September 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Consensus
- The Russian government has temporarily allowed the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel with ecological classes Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4 at gas stations.
- The measure is effective from September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
- The decision aims to stabilize the domestic fuel market and ensure supply stability.
- AZS must provide consumers with full information about the ecological class of fuel.
- Previously, such fuels could only be sold via internal contracts, not to the public.
- The move aligns retail requirements with earlier approvals for production and circulation of low-ecological-class fuels.
- The fuel is considered harmful to modern vehicles and the environment due to higher sulfur and toxic content.
- The decision is described as a temporary, operational response to current market conditions.
Points of divergence
- Auto expert Anton Anufriev advised drivers to check fuel eco-class before refueling and recommended more frequent oil changes, fuel system flushing, and using additives. He noted that older cars from the 1990s would tolerate low-grade fuel without issues. — gazeta_spb
- A fuel crisis occurred in St. Petersburg due to drone attacks on oil refineries, causing long queues at gas stations in July. The crisis reportedly resurged in mid-August, with some media reporting a 'second wave'. — tg_paperpaper_ru
- The eco-classes are referred to as K2, K3, K4, and K5 (Eurasian Economic Union categories), which correspond to Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4, and Euro-5. — mediazona
- Auto expert Alexey Mochalov stated that one refuel with low-grade fuel could damage vehicle equipment worth thousands of dollars. — tg_theinsider
- The government allowed internal contracts for low-ecological-class fuel sales starting in August, with retail sales previously restricted. — meduza
- Trading in low-standard gasoline began on the St. Petersburg Exchange on August 18, 2026. — kommersant
Coverage (14 sources)
- Auto expert advised drivers to check fuel eco-class before refueling - SPb Newspaper - St. Petersburg news — Gazeta.SPb
- Low ecological class gasoline allowed for sale at gas stations — Бумага
- Government allowed selling fuel of reduced environmental classes at gas stations — Медиазона
- Russian authorities allowed selling of lower environmental class gasoline at gas stations — The Insider
- Government allowed Russians to refuel with Euro-2 grade gasoline — SOTAvision
- Gas stations in Russia allowed to freely sell fuel of low ecological class — Meduza
- At gas stations fuel below Euro-5 standard is allowed — Вести
- Authorities approved the sale of fuel "Euro-2", "Euro-3", "Euro-4" and "Euro-5" at gas stations — Коммерсантъ
- In Russia, sale of Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4 class fuel on gas stations has been allowed — Varlamov News
- Government allowed selling fuel class below Euro-5 at gas stations — Дождь (Telegram)
- At Russian gas stations it is allowed to sell gasoline and diesel fuel according to standards lower than Euro-5 — Фонтанка
- Cabinet from September 1 allowed sale of Euro-5 and lower grade fuel at gas stations — Ведомости
- Gasoline and diesel fuel of Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 4, and Euro 5 classes allowed to be sold from September 1 under general market conditions, — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- Fuel classes Euro-2, Euro-3, Euro-4 may be sold at gas stations starting in September — Интерфакс