Russia to allow use of lower-grade gasoline banned in most of the world

Russia is set to revert to using lower-grade gasoline, permitting the sale of fuels that have been banned in most of the world. The Energy Ministry announced that gasoline meeting Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4 standards, which contain significantly higher levels of sulfur and other harmful substances than current standards, will be allowed for production, import, and sale until July 1, 2027.

The ministry described this move as a temporary anti-crisis measure, intended to stabilize the domestic fuel market and prevent potential shortages. Officials stated the decision aims to balance fuel quality requirements with the need to ensure consumer accessibility. The current Euro-5 standard, implemented in 2016, limits sulfur content to 10 mg/kg, whereas Euro-2 allows up to 500 mg/kg. Furthermore, Euro-2 standards do not regulate aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene and permit the use of monomethylaniline (MMA), an octane booster banned in many countries due to its toxicity and potential carcinogenicity.

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The ministry emphasized that this decision is temporary and aims to ensure stable domestic fuel supply and prevent potential shortages.

Fuel market expert Anastasia Bunina cautioned that modern engines are not designed to handle such lower-quality fuel. The increased sulfur content can accelerate wear on critical engine components, including cylinders, pistons, fuel systems, engine oil, spark plugs, injectors, and catalytic converters. Earlier in July, the Russian government had already allowed some refineries to produce and sell Euro-3 standard gasoline, with sulfur content up to 150 mg/kg, until the end of the year, but this measure apparently proved insufficient to meet domestic demand.

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Modern engines are not adapted to such fuel.