Russia considers reviving banned Euro-2 and Euro-3 fuels amid shortages

Russia may soon allow the production and sale of older fuel standards to address shortages. The government is considering a temporary return of Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4 gasoline and diesel until July 2027. This move follows a ban on these lower-grade fuels in previous years. Russia first banned Euro-2 fuel in January 2013 and Euro-3 in January 2016. Oil companies then shifted to Euro-5 production by July 2016, which contains no more than 10 mg/kg of sulfur—50 times cleaner than Euro-2. The stricter Euro-6 standard, adopted by the EU in 2014, further cuts harmful emissions by 67% compared to Euro-5.

If the measure is approved, methanol in gasoline would be limited to 3%. However, using high-sulfur fuel in modern vehicles risks engine damage. Chemical additives might help, but their effectiveness is uncertain, and selecting the right ones could be costly. The proposal aims to ease fuel shortages by reintroducing older standards. Yet, the use of lower-grade fuel poses risks to vehicle engines. The decision would allow Euro-2, Euro-3, and Euro-4 fuels to circulate again, but only for a limited time.