Combustion engine: in Russia, demand for fuel additives increased by 10-30%
Demand for fuel additives is growing in Russia. According to market participants, sales of gasoline quality improvement products increased by 10-30%. Motorists began to actively search for and purchase such products after the government officially authorized the turnover of Euro-3 standard fuel until the end of 2026 in early July. While experts warn against such self-medication, and additive buyers often complain about product quality, services are preparing for an influx of cars for repairs. In their opinion, this may happen if the situation does not change within 1.5 months or more and drivers will have to use such fuel for a long time. Which cars are in the highest risk zone can be found in the Izvestia article.
Why the demand for fuel additives may increase
In Russia, the demand for additives designed to improve gasoline performance has begun to grow. This was reported to Izvestia by representatives of a number of chain stores, as well as confirmed by manufacturers of such products. Trade representatives attribute this to the decision of the authorities to allow oil companies to produce Euro-3 standard fuel, as well as to the possible return of Euro-2 gasoline production.
The Euro-2 standard has been used in Russia since the late 1990s. However, since January 1, 2013, its use has been officially banned in order for the automotive industry and oil refining to switch to cleaner technologies. By this time, there was already a ban on the production of cars below the Euro-3 class in the country — it had been introduced since 2008. As a result, Euro-3 standard fuel was put into circulation. Its production in Russia has actually stopped since January 1, 2015, when the country switched to the Euro-5 standard with a lower content of sulfur and harmful substances.
In the fall of 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers allowed individual refineries to produce Euro-5 class fuel for the domestic market with the actual technical characteristics of Euro-3, in particular, with a higher sulfur content, a higher proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons and the use of permitted additives. Initially, this measure was valid until May 1, 2026, then its validity period was extended. On July 2, Government Decree No. 819 fixed the effect of the relief until the end of the year.
This decision was made due to the shortage of capacities for the production of fuels of the highest ecological classes and the technological difficulties of upgrading refineries after the terrorist attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the authorities have imposed additional restrictions on the export of petroleum products. Until July 31, the export of gasoline from Russia was prohibited for all market participants, and the export of diesel was prohibited for traders. The export of aviation kerosene is limited until November 30.
As the seller of the Auto shop told Izvestia, sales of additives to improve the quality of gasoline have recently increased by 30%. At the same time, the online spare parts store Avtodok reported that this figure increased less significantly — by 10%. Similar figures were provided at the Rossco store on Bratislava, where the bulk of sales are accounted for by wholesale buyers.
— We work exclusively in the B2B segment and supply our products to oil refineries, tank farms and fuel producers. In recent weeks, we have indeed noticed an increase in the number of requests for octane-boosting components for gasoline. This is due to the fact that market participants are closely monitoring changes in regulatory requirements and are considering various fuel compounding options in advance," Yaroslav Makarkin, Deputy General Director of Fuel Region Company LLC, told Izvestia.
At the same time, a representative of the Additives and Reagents Plant, whose main activity is the production and supply of chemical reagents for the oil industry, said that orders for additives had increased insignificantly.
— This is a cyclical process — sometimes more orders, and sometimes less, — he specified.
Izvestia analyzed ads for the sale of fuel additives on the largest marketplaces using AI technologies. The analysis showed that over the past three weeks, the demand for such products has increased two to three times.
At the same time, the Internet sites themselves refused to comment officially. The Chek Index analytical center, the operator of the fiscal data of the OFD Platform, was also unable to provide comments promptly.
How will the use of lower fuel classes affect cars?
Representatives of a number of car service stations told Izvestia that they expect an increase in demand for their services. They believe that after some time, the use of lower-quality fuel will affect the engines.
"If the situation really worsens and lasts for a long time, we expect an increase in requests for fuel equipment, exhaust, engine and diagnostics over the next few months," Dmitry Samoilov, director of partner support for the international network of Fit Service car services, told Izvestia. — Our task is to quickly adapt the regulations and help car owners pass this period without unnecessary worries and risks for the equipment.
According to him, a series of internal webinars and face-to-face sessions were organized for station managers, where possible scenarios for the development of the situation in the regions are discussed, as well as maintenance regulations for the fuel system, catalysts and engine oil are updated.
He also noted that when using lower-grade gasoline, filters, injectors, high-pressure fuel pump, catalysts, particulate filters (DPF), lambda probes (oxygen sensors), electronic engine control system and the engine itself may be affected. This effect is possible not after one refueling, but as a result of prolonged use of fuel and the formation of an accumulation effect.
— Therefore, our recommendations to car owners in the current situation will be as follows: if possible, choose large gas station networks, shorten oil and filter change intervals and carefully monitor the first symptoms. These include an increase in fuel consumption, unstable engine operation, and the appearance of toxicity errors," said a representative of the service.
The fact that the handling of car breakdowns due to fuel of a lower class may increase in the near future was also stated in the "Special Drive" service.
— First of all, the catalyst fails, — said the service employee.
According to Alexander Pakhomov, Vice‑chairman of the Union of Car Service Stations, a reduced fuel class (Euro-2/3) can cause problems in the car's toxicity reduction system. At the same time, in his opinion, it is not worth expecting a massive influx of car owners to car service stations.
— In the work of my service, I cannot note the increased car breakdowns — as it was, so it remains. In today's situation, each of the owners of a broken car can look and say: "So it's because of gasoline!" But this will not be true, the expert believes.
He recalled that every gas station is required to show a passport for the fuel it sells, and if there is a discrepancy with real gasoline, then the company selling it will face serious responsibility.
— This is a criminal offense for which the staff of the column will be responsible. Of course, no one has canceled the facts of fraud. Today, the number of scammers who, for example, sell the AI-92 as the AI-95 or AI-98 has grown quite significantly. This can also happen, it cannot be ruled out, but it is quite rare," Alexander Pakhomov is convinced.
Another thing, the expert notes, is when there is no fuel of the appropriate brand at the gas station, and the car is designed for gasoline not lower than AI-95. They are forced to pour the 92nd and get a destroyed engine. It really can be, but the Euro-5 or Euro-2 class has nothing to do with it, believes Alexander Pakhomov.
Why is it better not to self-medicate?
Russians' interest in additives against the background of the authorities' decision to allow the production of fuel of a lower environmental class can be compared with self-medication, Sergei Tselikov, director of the Autostat analytical agency, told Izvestia.
— Instead of going to the doctor and getting a prescription, a person buys medicines on their own. In some cases, it can help, while in others it can harm your health. Therefore, you need to understand and know how it works. In my opinion, it is better to refuel at online gas stations — Lukoil, Gazprom Neft, Rosneft and other companies that you trust. I don't think that large networks will allow such a reduction in fuel quality that can harm the engine," the expert believes.
If we talk about which cars are at risk, these are primarily turbine and high-turbine engines that require higher-quality fuel, some of them are designed only for 100 gasoline, Sergey Tselikov added.
— Cars with such engines are vulnerable. For example, almost the entire Chinese car industry is now using turbine engines. At the same time, atmospheric engines are less susceptible to the octane number, so you can not mix everything together. Some units will withstand lower-quality fuel," the expert believes.
This opinion is shared by Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem magazine.
— If motorists expect that with the help of any magic additives, tablets or liquids it is possible to drastically improve the properties of gasoline, then this is a misconception. It is impossible to turn fuel into high—quality fuel using such means, just as it is impossible to cure a serious illness with one miracle pill, the expert believes.
At the same time, he noted that there are good octane-enhancing liquids that positively affect the composition of the fuel. However, they do not allow, for example, to turn AI-92 gasoline into a full-fledged AI-95.
Auto expert Sergey Petrov admitted that cars may suffer not only from lower-grade fuel, but also from untested additives produced by unscrupulous manufacturers. According to him, there are no regulations for their production in Russia, as well as laboratory control.
In the reviews on marketplaces that Izvestia analyzed, people often write that they either didn't really feel the changes, the additive didn't help, or, on the contrary, even worsened the car's performance. At the same time, some car owners note a decrease in fuel consumption after using such compounds.
In any case, the responsibility for the use of additives lies entirely with the car owner, Sergey Petrov emphasized. In his opinion, it is safer to wait for the opportunity to refuel with the usual fuel, even if you have to stand in line at the gas station. In this case, the risk of problems will be minimal.
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