The A-95 gasoline market in Ukraine is once again beginning to see ‘bad fuel’ – research

Gasoline consumption in Ukraine continues to steadily decline – last year a decrease of 8% was recorded. This is due to several factors, primarily the massive transition to LPG, as well as the ‘invasion’ of ‘Eurobeetles’, which predominantly have diesel engines. For many car enthusiasts, gasoline ‘hits their wallets’, and naturally, motorists would like to receive quality that matches the price.

The Institute of Consumer Expertise decided to check the most popular 95 gasoline. In previous studies, experts recorded violations in almost 20 percent of samples; the current study showed that the situation, unfortunately, is still far from improvement.

Experts focused primarily on large nationwide networks, but medium-sized networks, positioning themselves in the market as discount chains, also came under scrutiny. In a recent diesel fuel study conducted by the Institute, the latter performed well, offering quality fuel at prices lower than major players. How will it be with gasoline? In this research, samples from 12 networks were selected – WOG, BRSM-Nafta, KLO, Parallel, Chipo, GLUSCO, ANP, Motto, Sun Oil, Shell, Grand Petrol, and Narodna.

Samples were sent to a certified laboratory where they were tested for compliance with the standards of profile DSTU 7687:2015 (gasoline A-95-Euro5).

Samples were checked for key parameters – octane number, sulfur content, and the volume of aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene. The results were disappointing – two samples turned out to be non-compliant. The first parameter checked was the most crucial for engine operation – the octane number, which indicates the fuel’s resistance to detonation — the 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 from additional loads. The octane number was measured by the motor method.

According to it, the standard is set at no less than 85.0 units. All samples, except one, met the standard, and almost all had a ‘reserve’ of one unit! The ‘ninety-seventh’ gasoline was found in the networks of BRSM-Nafta and Parallel (87.2 and 87 units). KLO (86.8) and Chipo (86.7 units) were not far behind. However, the gasoline from the Narodna network lacked ‘octane’ – only 84.3 units, which does not meet the standard.

Next, experts checked another critical indicator – sulfur content. If there is too much of this harmful substance in the fuel, it leads to deposit formation, pollution of fuel injectors, and ‘death’ of the catalyst. Moreover, the exhaust becomes ‘dirtier’, releasing very dangerous oxides into the air we breathe. DSTU for A-95-Euro5 requires no more than 10 mg/kg. Here, too, the situation was ‘bright’ with one exception.

The Narodna network recorded a peculiar ‘record’ of recent times – the gasoline was Euro 3, with a sulfur content of 75 mg/kg! For comparison, the amount of sulfur among the leaders was minimal – BRSM-Nafta and Parallel (5 mg/kg each), KLO (5.2 mg/kg), Chipo and Sun Oil (6 and 6.9 mg/kg respectively). By the way, KLO’s result is doubly pleasing as such results are achieved by Shebel fuel produced at the domestic Shebelinsky oil refinery.

Another important parameter is benzene content. This substance can wash off the oil film, leading to increased cylinder wear.

DSTU normalizes the volume content of benzene at no more than 1%. There were two violators in this parameter – in the ANP network sample, benzene was 20% above the established standard (1.2 percent), and in Narodna – a whopping 3.8 percent! Experts haven’t seen anything like this in a long time… The least harmful substance was found in samples taken at Shell gas stations (0.51%) and BRSM-Nafta – 0.40 percent. As for the content of aromatic hydrocarbons, DSTU regulates the content in gasoline of the 5th environmental class at no more than 35% by volume.

Exceeding this results in increased deposit formation. In this parameter, all subjects met the standard, and no violations were found.

Summarizing this study, it can be stated that motorists are still at risk of ‘feeding the horse’ the wrong thing. Some traders are still tempted to earn on non-compliance, and this must be reckoned with. At the same time, it should be noted that honest discount networks are ‘gaining ground’ on large networks and approach the issue of quality responsibly.

Vadim Krivenko