Serhiy Kuyun, who knows the Ukrainian fuel market well, notes: gasoline with bioethanol added does not in itself create problems, but it is significantly more sensitive to how it is transported and stored.
"The difficulty is not in the fuel itself, but in the fact that such gasoline with alcohol requires special conditions during transportation and storage. As soon as moisture appears, the alcohol absorbs it, the fuel separates into fractions and ceases to be of high quality," the expert says.
He emphasizes: the determining factor is how clean the tanks are at oil depots, in fuel tanker trucks, and directly at gas stations. If operators violate technological requirements, the final quality of the fuel may suffer significantly.
Notably, an exception was made for gasoline of class A-98 and higher — adding bioethanol there is not mandatory, since these grades occupy a small market share. However, Kuyun warns: "If there is suddenly a surge in demand for them, this could temporarily unbalance supply. But we are talking about a few days, then everything will stabilize."
Despite some concern, the expert reminds: in Europe, such fuel has been used for over 15 years, and complaints about its quality are almost unheard of there. At the same time, Ukrainian drivers are advised to be more cautious — to check spark plugs and fuel filters more often, especially if the car is not young.
Regarding the cost, Kuyun cautiously suggests that prices may drop slightly: "In May, fuel could become cheaper by a few hryvnias if world oil prices do not change." He also advises not to chase the lowest prices at gas stations in the coming months, while the market gets used to the new conditions.
According to the expert, "the first two months will be rich in surprises, complaints, and grievances," so drivers should be patient and carefully monitor what fuel they pour into their tanks.
