Fines for gasoline without bioethanol: what awaits gas stations and drivers from January 1

Fines for selling gasoline without bioethanol in Ukraine

According to ХВИЛЯ: From January 1, 2024, fines for selling gasoline without bioethanol come into force in Ukraine. Parliament did not support extending the transition period, which may lead to fuel shortages. The fine for violation will be 18168 UAH for every 1000 liters of gasoline that does not meet the new requirements.

According to the law that came into effect on May 1, 2023, sellers are required to comply with the bioethanol content standards in fuel. In June 2023, Parliament decided to postpone the fines until January 1, 2026, but on December 17, 2023, Bill No. 13219, which provided for a new deferment until July 1, 2026, was not passed.

Possible consequences and expert opinions

It is worth noting that fines for failing to provide information about alcohol content can range from 227100 to 333080 UAH. It should also be noted that gasoline with 5% bioethanol is not common in European Union countries, where the E10 standard provides for an alcohol content of 7 to 10%.

Experts express various opinions regarding future fines:

• Dmytro Leushkin notes that from January 1, the requirements will likely be ignored: small networks will pay the fines, while large ones will try to challenge the decisions in court.

• Serhiy Kuyun states that there will probably not be mass fines, as the state needs to ensure fuel for generators.

Diesel imports in November 2023 reached a record level, indicating increased demand for fuel resources under the new legislation. All these factors indicate that starting from January 1, 2024, the fuel market in Ukraine may undergo significant changes.

The introduction of new bioethanol content requirements in gasoline has raised concerns among market participants, as non-compliance with these standards may lead to serious financial consequences. Experts also note that the reduction of adaptation periods may affect the availability of fuel in Ukraine, especially in conditions where diesel fuel imports have already reached record volumes. This indicates that the fuel market may face new challenges that require quick and balanced decisions from the government and businesses.