Gasoline "Euro 5" has again become the law. Has the fuel itself become European?

The difference in quality levels between different standards was enormous, and this was actively exploited by small mini-refineries and numerous fraudsters involved in adulteration. As a result, the main financial burden fell on drivers, because repairs after using low-quality fuel are quite expensive. So, have truly hard times come for fraudsters? Specialists from the Institute of Consumer Expertise conducted an experiment to determine whether A-95 fuel at domestic gas stations has become better. Laboratory tests covered all regions of the country, including regional centers and highways. The results showed: overall, fuel quality has significantly increased, but surrogate producers are in no hurry to give up their positions.

Samples of A-95 gasoline were purchased at gas stations of the largest national operators (WOG, SOCAR, UKRNAFTA, AMIC, ANP, MARSHALL, SHELL, UPG, BRSM-Nafta, U.GO), as well as from significant regional players (Kyiv network KLO, PARALLEL, operating in the southeast, FAKTOR, Kharkiv SVR and OVIS). Experts also did not ignore smaller networks present in district centers and small towns (VST, LUXWEN, DNIPRO OIL GROUP, BARREL, NPG, ENERGO-EXPORT).

The data obtained in the laboratory, as before, were divided by specialists into three categories — “green”, “blue” and “red”. The first group included networks whose products met Euro-5 requirements. The “blue” category included samples that had no violations but did not have a “margin of safety” — their indicators were on the verge of permissible values. The “red” category united gas stations whose fuel did not meet the current DSTU. Samples were checked for key characteristics: octane number, sulfur concentration, volume fractions of aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene. The content of bioethanol and methanol was also examined separately.

Green zone

Representatives of the Institute note that for the first time in a long time, the number of participants in the “green” zone exceeded the number of those in the “red” zone. The composition of the leaders has also changed. In addition to large private networks (WOG, SOCAR, AMIC, UPG), state-owned companies — UKRNAFTA and U.GO — entered the top category for the first time. This once again demonstrates: with the desire, state enterprises are capable of working openly, efficiently, and profitably. Also in the “green” zone were two networks from frontline territories — PARALLEL, operating in the southeast of Ukraine, and the completely new (!) Kharkiv network SVR. The very fact of doing business in such conditions is worthy of respect, and an honest attitude towards customers is an exceptional phenomenon.

Overall, fuel from these networks significantly exceeded the minimum DSTU requirements. First, the main parameter for engine operation was assessed — the octane number, the norm of which is at least 95 units. The largest margin was found in SOCAR — in fact, it is 97-octane gasoline. AMIC (96.6) and KLO (96.5) also demonstrated excellent results. With such octane numbers, the engine operates stably, delivers full power, and fuel consumption decreases. The second parameter checked was the amount of sulfur, which harms both the engine and the environment the most. The more sulfur in the fuel, the shorter the engine's lifespan and the higher the likelihood of breakdowns. This is also critical for city residents, as sulfur oxide in exhaust can cause serious health problems. The Euro-5 standard limits this indicator to 10 mg/kg.

Almost completely eliminated sulfur in A-95 gasoline from UKRNAFTA — only 3 mg/kg. In SOCAR, AMIC, and PARALLEL, this indicator was also significantly below the norm. As for aromatic hydrocarbons, all group participants fit within the permissible limits, with the lowest content recorded in SOCAR — only 25%. The next stage checked the concentration of benzene. This toxic substance should be as little as possible in fuel, since its excess destroys the catalyst and can reduce engine life by up to ten times. The cleanest was AMIC gasoline — 0.20% with a norm of up to 1%. Low indicators were also recorded in UKRNAFTA and KLO. The experts' conclusion is unequivocal: this is European fuel from foreign plants, transported and stored in compliance with all requirements.

Blue zone

The “blue” category mostly included regional networks, with the only exception being SHELL. A-95 gasoline at FAKTOR, OVIS, VST, and LUXWEN stations met Euro-5 standards, but the indicators were close to limit values. For small networks that cannot boast a well-known brand, this is quite an acceptable result.

Red zone

Despite the positive dynamics and increased responsibility for selling low-quality fuel, a third of all selected samples had serious violations. In the “red” zone were large networks BRSM-Nafta, ANP, MARSHALL, as well as regional players DNIPRO OIL GROUP, BARREL, NPG, and ENERGO-EXPORT. Almost all samples showed problems with sulfur concentration, which cannot be eliminated outside factory conditions. While in most samples the exceedances were significant but not critical — by 1.5–2 times, the “fuel” from ENERGO-EXPORT showed simply incredible levels: sulfur content exceeded the norm by 380 times! It is easy to predict that problems with the fuel system and engine after refueling with such liquid will arise inevitably and very quickly.

The situation with the content of toxic benzene is also deplorable. ENERGO-EXPORT again breaks records — this fuel consists of almost 40% benzene! In gasoline from DNIPRO OIL GROUP stations, the exceedance is tenfold, in BARREL — fourfold. Let us remind you that this dangerous compound causes carbon deposits and engine overheating. The question of how a car's engine will “digest” such an amount of benzene is obviously rhetorical. Separately, specialists analyzed samples for the presence of oxygen-containing compounds, in particular bioethanol and methanol. It turned out that “95” from the Zaporizhzhia network BARREL consists of 40% alcohols, while the total norm is no more than 8%. A fourfold or more exceedance of alcohol content was also recorded in samples from DNIPRO OIL GROUP, ANP, and NPG. Experts warn that with such indicators, fuel consumption will become a very unpleasant discovery for drivers.

Summing up, the Institute of Consumer Expertise is still optimistic about improving fuel quality on the Ukrainian market. Firstly, with the return of strict regulations, it will become much more difficult to falsify and sell low-quality products. Secondly, the tone is now set by state networks, which usually operate in the discount segment, so competition in the lower price category will intensify, which will likely stimulate small networks to improve quality.