All efforts will be garnered in Uzbekistan to limit the use and sale of AI-80 gasoline before 2026. While, consumers must be provided with "high-quality, ecofriendly and affordable gasoline, the January 30 presidential decree on the 2025 State Program as part of the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy stipulated.

A complete ban on the use of oil fuel by enterprises producing heat and electricity in all provinces must also be introduced before the year-end.

An exception will be made for cases of using it in emergencies notifying the Ministry of Environmental Protection and in agreement with the Cabinet of Ministers.

Background

At the beginning of 2024, the Ministry of Energy reported about plans to abandon AI-80 gasoline before 2026 by increasing the production of AI-92 and higher gasoline, while proposing that excise rates on high-octane gasoline grades are cut.

Later, the president instructed the PM to achieve abandoning AI-80 (Euro-2 standard) as early as 2025.

However, the president’s September decree stipulated that a gradual restriction on use and sale of motor fuel of a standard lower than Euro-4 from 2028. In particular, for this purpose, the Bukhara and Fergana oil refineries, which produce AI-80, will undergo deep modernization, and the import of Euro-2 and Euro-3 fuel will be banned.

The press service of Uzbekneftegaz noted that the modernization required time. “It will take time to switch to Euro-4 gasoline and higher at the Bukhara Oil Refinery. By the end of [2024], a feasibility study for the project will be developed, after which it will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. The full completion of the project will take 30-32 months,” the company said.