Refueling: in Russia, it was proposed to set a ceiling on gas station prices
In Russia, it was proposed to set the maximum allowable prices at gas stations. The National Automobile Union has submitted such an initiative to the Federal Antimonopoly Service. They want to calculate a special index there — the cost of fuel on the same day last year plus inflation. In 2025, some gas stations raised prices significantly above inflation, despite the recommendations of regulators, which has already led to inspections and antitrust measures. Whether the authorities and business support such an idea is in the Izvestia article.
How is it proposed to set the price ceiling at gas stations
The initiative to introduce a ceiling on prices at gas stations was made by the National Automobile Union (NAS). Izvestia has reviewed the letter from Anton Shaparin, President of the Union, to Maxim Shaskolsky, head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service.
— In conditions when the government has taken special control over the situation with the supply of fuel and its cost at Russian gas stations, we consider it advisable to introduce a certain ceiling on prices at gas stations — a special control mechanism. It should be calculated using a price index: the cost of fuel should not exceed the regional average on the corresponding day in 2024, plus the level of accumulated inflation," Anton Shaparin explained to Izvestia.
Earlier, Izvestia wrote that in a number of regions of the country, some gas stations began to limit fuel supply, as well as raise prices. In particular, non-network gas stations have raised the cost by about 10%, or by 5-8 rubles to the price list of network operators. Such cases have been reported in the Tambov, Tver, and Lipetsk regions.
At the same time, the authorities are trying to prevent the price of gasoline in retail from rising above the annual inflation rate or to keep these figures close. This policy is implemented through the pressure of regulators, primarily the Federal Antimonopoly Service, on oil companies.
— However, it should be understood that the current regulatory mechanisms work with vertically integrated companies (WINCS), whose networks adhere to a more stable pricing policy, and independent gas stations are free in their pricing. At some gas stations, Ai-92 already costs more than 70 rubles per liter, which is 4 rubles higher than the average cost. Such a deviation cannot but suggest that individual players are trying to extract super profits against the background of publications in some media about a possible shortage of fuel," said Anton Shaparin.
To strengthen control over the situation, the Ministry of Energy and the regional departments of the Federal Antimonopoly Service began sending requests to owners of gas station networks demanding to justify the increase in fuel prices, Izvestia reported.
— Some gas stations raise the cost above inflation in the expectation that they will not be affected by inspections or that they will be able to provide a convincing justification to regulators and avoid warnings and fines. That is why it makes sense to develop a unified, transparent and understandable regulatory framework for regulating gas station prices for all market participants," said Anton Shaparin.
The letter from the National Automobile Union has been received by the Federal Antimonopoly Service and will be reviewed in due course, the Antimonopoly service told Izvestia. They also noted that the service constantly monitors fuel prices at 12 thousand gas stations. Earlier, the FAS had already initiated a case against Gazprom GNP Sales LLC. In May—June 2025, the company reduced gasoline sales on the stock exchange: Ai–92 - by 74%, Ai—95 - by 50%. The case is under consideration, the department said.
In addition, the territorial authorities of the service issued warnings to gas station networks in the Tver and Tyumen regions. "Tvernefteprodukt and Gazpromneft — regional Sales fulfilled the warnings of the service, in the Tyumen region this led to lower prices for gasoline and diesel fuel at the company's gas stations, the FAS emphasized.
Izvestia also sent inquiries to the Ministry of Energy, oil and fuel companies.
The Government has previously taken a number of measures to stabilize the market situation. So, at the end of September, the temporary ban on gasoline exports was extended and restrictions for other types of fuel were introduced. The ban will be in effect until December 31, 2025 inclusive and applies to all exporters, including direct producers. By another decree, the authorities imposed a ban on the export of diesel, as well as marine fuel and other gas oils, including those purchased at stock auctions. At the same time, the ban does not apply to supplies carried out by direct producers of these types. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also proposed to reset import duties on gasoline imports from China, South Korea and Singapore.
In addition, on October 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which from October to May 1, 2026 imposed a moratorium on zeroing payments on the fuel damper. Izvestia reported that such a measure was discussed at a meeting in the Cabinet of Ministers with oil workers on October 9. The Ministry of Energy called the moratorium a way to stabilize prices.
In addition, the signed decree abolishes excise taxes on diesel fuel produced by mixing with aviation kerosene and other components, if it is not produced at a refinery.
Does the business support the introduction of a price ceiling
The fuel business opposed the introduction of new measures.
— We consistently oppose the introduction of a price ceiling. The retail segment is already de facto regulated: prices in VINK chains are kept in the inflationary corridor, while wholesale quotations are formed in a market-based manner. This combination creates a regular "price squeeze": in high season or during force majeure, the wholesale price rises above the retail price. Large vertically integrated companies can trade at a retail loss for a while due to the safety margin of the entire vertical, but independent ones cannot. Hence the discrimination of some players, local shortages and disruption of infrastructure investments," Pavel Bazhenov, president of the Independent Fuel Union (NTS), told Izvestia.
At the same time, the NTS noted that problems in the operation of independent gas stations due to excessive regulation could become very sensitive for the market. According to the union, there are about 25,000 gas stations in Russia today. In terms of sales volumes, about 70% belong to WINCS, while in terms of the number of stations, about 60% are independent networks. A rational alternative to the proposed measure would be not price ceilings, but a transparent monitoring system that would synchronously monitor retail and wholesale indicators and contain a built-in cost model and the necessary margin for the normal operation and development of gas stations, according to the NTS.
Cargo carriers have a different opinion: the measure proposed by US is long overdue and necessary, Vladimir Matyagin, president of the Gruzavtotrans Association, told Izvestia.
— We have long and consistently suggested that the government take the next step: to establish direct regulation of retail fuel prices. The initiative of the ceiling and ME is a good first step in this direction. Price regulation is not a whim, but a necessary measure to stabilize the economy and curb inflation. Only by taking control of this strategic resource can we go through a difficult stage, ensuring predictability for both businesses and end users," he said.
Vladimir Matyagin noted that the rise in fuel prices is a blow to the economy. More than 80% of goods in Russia are transported by road, and every penny of the price of diesel fuel can be included in the cost of all goods on the shelves, he added.
What factors affect the cost of fuel
The very idea of a ceiling on the cost of fuel at gas stations using the formula "average price for the same day in 2024 plus accumulated inflation" looks understandable to consumers, says Vladimir Chernov, analyst at Freedom Finance Global. However, this approach will not take into account the growing tax and administrative burden, which may negatively affect business, he believes.
The introduction of a price ceiling at gas stations and its monitoring throughout the year could increase transparency and predictability of the market, and it would be easier for carriers to plan their costs, says economist Andrei Loboda. At the same time, along with such a measure, it would be advisable to introduce tax breaks for fuel companies and other support measures, he added.
In the current conditions, independent gas stations, which are the majority in the Russian Federation, receive negative margins due to record growth in wholesale fuel prices, said Sergey Kaufman, an analyst at Finam. For those gas stations that kept the cost increase within the projected inflation range in September, the margin remains negative — about 4 rubles of loss per liter of both 92 and 95 gasoline, the NTS reported. Therefore, if we limit the growth of retail prices for them without compensation in the form of certain subsidies, then a significant part of independent gas stations will simply have to close, which would lead to a monopoly of WINKS, Sergey Kaufman believes.
The price of Ai-92 on the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange broke a record on October 6, reaching 74.2 thousand rubles per ton. And in early September, the cost of 95 gasoline also reached a historic high of 82.3 thousand rubles per 1 ton. As of October 13, Ai-95 was trading at 79.1 thousand rubles, and Ai-92 was trading at 74.2 thousand rubles, respectively, according to exchange data.
Valery Andrianov, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government, believes that in the long term, in order to solve the problems of the country's fuel market, it is necessary to think about increasing refining capacity, as well as creating a state reserve — that is, as needed, lots of gasoline and diesel would be sold by the state on the stock exchange, thereby reducing wholesale prices.
If we act according to the logic of the measure proposed by the National Automobile Union, we should go even further: through the proposed mechanism, prices should be fixed not only for fuel, but also for cars themselves, spare parts from them, all consumables, goods in gas station stores, etc., said Yuri Stankevich, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy.
"Manual price regulation is possible, and we are seeing this, for example, in the electric power industry or natural gas supplies to individual consumers, but such a reform will require restructuring the economic model at all stages of fuel production (from oil wells to refining and wholesale sales)," the deputy said.
Instead of tightening administrative controls, a set of measures aimed at restoring the balance between the wholesale and retail markets is needed to overcome the crisis, Dmitry Tortev, a member of the expert council of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of Competition, believes.
The extension of the ban on the export of gasoline and diesel fuel, which is already in effect, is the right step to saturate the domestic market, he noted. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen measures to support refineries — to ensure their safety, prompt repairs and technological modernization, as well as to provide budgetary support for import substitution programs in the oilfield services, he concluded.
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