The latest study revealed an abundance of substandard fuel at gas stations

Fuel in Ukraine has recently risen significantly in price, which has caused dissatisfaction among car enthusiasts, with protests almost occurring in some cities. During such periods, mixologists traditionally become active, to whom the price increase promises additional demand, and therefore earnings.

Hence the significant price variation on gas station steles – in some small networks and standalone stations, the cost per liter can be 4-5 hryvnias lower than that of large nationwide operators. And here the situation cannot be explained only by the seller’s “margin” and non-payment of taxes. This led to finding out what exactly is being filled in our tanks at such a high price.

The check was conducted by the Institute of Consumer Expertise. Experts examined samples of Euro-92 gasoline, which is popular due to its lower price. Samples were taken from large networks (OKKO, WOG, Ukrnafta), medium networks (Parallel, Motto, Glusko, KLO, BRSM-Nafta, Sun Oil, Chipo, Marshall, Avantage 7, Grand Petrol), and several standalone gas stations. The results were disappointing, a quarter of the samples turned out to be substandard, and half of them were outright “mixture.”

About octane

First of all, they checked the indicator that characterizes the fuel’s resistance to detonation – premature combustion of gasoline in the combustion chamber. Detonation is harmful to the engine not only due to increased fuel consumption and reduced power, but also due to premature engine wear due to extra loads.

The octane number was measured by the motor method, where the installation (a single-cylinder engine with a variable compression ratio) simulates the load on a real engine. According to this method, the standard is set at 82.5 units (which is almost equivalent to the familiar number 92 by the research method that we see at gas stations). Surprisingly, this time, no violations were found in this crucial indicator. Moreover, all samples showed a “reserve.” But some results alarmed experts. For example, at Avantage 7, Extra, and Impulse gas stations, the octane number “went off scale” for 86-87 units.

Such values will not harm, except that the dynamics will drop due to the longer burning time of the fuel mixture. But the reason for such an “overhead” was found after testing for ethanol content – in these samples, it was 2-6 times more than the standard allows. For other participants, everything is smoother, in the range of 83-84 units. And some gas stations (Motto (85.4), Parallel (85.5), and BRSM-Nafta (85.2)) sell “ninety-fifth” gasoline, which should please cost-savers. Chemical composition

Benzene corrodes the fuel system and leads to its premature wear.

Results varied based on the content of benzene and aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, harmful benzene was in the smallest amount in samples from ОККО, WOG, Motto, and Parallel. Meanwhile, Extra, Impulse, and Marshall “stood out” – the benzene in these networks’ fuel was one and a half to two and a half times higher than the state standards DCTU allow! As for the volumetric part of aromatic hydrocarbons, everything was within permissible limits here. Sulfur

If there is too much of it in the fuel, this leads to carbon deposit formation, fuel injector contamination, and “kills” catalysts.

Plus, the exhaust becomes “dirtier” and highly dangerous oxidants enter the air we breathe. The Euro 5 standard provides for a sulfur content in gasoline of no more than 10 mg/kg. In previous studies by the Institute, there were practically no violations of this essential indicator, which primarily indicated the factory origin of the fuel. This time, four samples (Extra, Impulse, Marshall, and Avantage 7) fell within Euro 4, banned in Ukraine. Everything is in perfect order with other networks, with the least amount of sulfur (8 mg/kg) recorded in Motto and Parallel samples.

Ethanol

Currently, DCTU allows ethanol content in gasoline of no more than 5 percent. Gasolines purchased at Extra, Impulse, Marshall, and Avantage 7 stations turned out to be more “alcoholic” – in some of them, the ethanol content reached a third of the composition. So saving on such fuel will not work – as is known, the consumption of alcohol-based gasoline exceeds regular by 5-7 percent. Conclusions

The fears of market analysts about the deterioration of fuel quality after price increases, unfortunately, turned out to be true. According to Yuriy Chernobryvets, director of the Institute of Consumer Expertise, “now more and more sellers are looking for ways to manufacturers of the so-called ‘straight-run,’ low-quality fuel produced in artisanal conditions.

And such an offer exists in the market because many car owners prefer to save here and now.

Large networks are still holding on, not saving, buying quality resources of Ukrainian and Belarusian production, as reputation in a competitive market is costly.” Experts were also pleased that fairly large discounter networks (Motto, Sun Oil, Chipo), judging by the study results, also do not want to deal with low-quality products. It is also important to remember that large systematic players operate within the legal framework and the taxes they pay go to the budget, including road maintenance. Meanwhile, mixologists not only sell substandard fuel, but also hinder the development of road infrastructure.

Vadim Krivenko