Fuel Prices Increase, Drivers Complain About Consumption

After the price increase of Ai-92 gasoline and diesel fuel in Azerbaijan at the beginning of July this year, some drivers are complaining about increased fuel consumption. They claim that they used to cover longer distances with the same amount of fuel before.

On July 1, the retail price of Ai-92 gasoline was increased by 10 qepiks to 1 manat 10 qepiks per liter, and the retail price of diesel fuel was increased by 20 qepiks to 1 manat per liter.

Said Ziyadzadeh, a resident of Baku, reports an increase in diesel fuel consumption: "Before the price hike, I filled the 70-liter tank for 80 qepiks and drove 650 kilometers. But when diesel was 1 manat, I filled the same 70 liters and could only drive 500 kilometers."

Sadiq Heydarov, who uses Ai-92 gasoline, also complains about the fuel quality: "The difference in fuel consumption compared to before is an average of 5-6 liters for my car. My car has a 2.4 engine, and consumption has increased from 13 liters to 18-19 liters per 100 kilometers."

Drivers claim that this issue stems from the quality of the gasoline.

However, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) responded to Turan regarding the complaints, stating that the Ai-92 gasoline produced at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery and sold in the country meets the technical standards of AZS 059-2001 unleaded automotive gasoline: "Considering this, the information about Ai-92 gasoline being consumed more quickly is not true."

The agency noted that frequent use of air conditioners in cars during summer and heavy cargo transportation could lead to higher fuel consumption.

Eyyub Huseynov, chairman of the Free Consumers Union, says that public opinion holds that gasoline quality in Azerbaijan is low: "Those who suffer the most from this are the distributors selling new cars. They provide a warranty period to buyers. Within a short time, the most expensive parts of the engine break down due to poor gasoline quality in Azerbaijan, and buyers return to the selling company demanding engine replacements. Over the years, there have been such complaints to the Free Consumers Union."

He noted that car owners also suffer financial losses due to gasoline quality. According to him, there is no independent laboratory in the country: "Even if there is an independent laboratory or results from a foreign laboratory, its document is not considered a legal document in Azerbaijan, and courts do not accept it as a legal document."

E. Huseynov also emphasized that, according to complaints, some fuel stations' machines do not work properly, delivering less gasoline. He believes that the root of such problems lies in legislation:

"The situation of consumers in the country is dire. The Law on Consumer Protection was adopted in 1995, but life has changed since then. Despite repeatedly raising the issue of changing this law, it has not been amended."

Economist Natig Jafarli reminded Radio Liberty that the oil refineries in Baku had been under repair for a long time: "There were official reports that repairs on some lines of those refineries had been completed and that diesel fuel now meets the 'Euro-5' standard, and the quality of Ai-92 gasoline has improved. Logically, if the refinery has been upgraded, the quality should improve."

He believes that the issue here may not be quality but problems related to measurement at fuel stations: "For example, the volume of gasoline shown on the machine's screen may not be the same as the actual volume pumped into the car. This possibility is more likely."

N. Jafarli thinks that state agencies responsible for consumer rights protection should conduct inspections based on citizens' complaints: "Both the quality of the fuel and the fuel dispensing machines should be checked, and information should be provided to citizens."

So far, it has not been possible to talk to the State Service for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Control regarding the issue.