Rewritten Title: Iran Introduces New Imported Super Gasoline: A Look at the Market and Its Target Consumers
Article:
In a significant move within Iran’s energy sector, the government has officially announced the pricing for a new grade of imported “Super” gasoline. This development introduces a multi-tiered fuel market, highlighting the government’s approach to catering to diverse consumer needs while managing national resources.
The Price Gap: Understanding the Numbers
The newly introduced imported Super gasoline will be available at approximately 75,000 Tomans per liter. This stands in stark contrast to the price of subsidized regular gasoline, which remains available at 1,500 Tomans per liter for rationed amounts and 3,000 Tomans for non-rationed fuel.
This substantial price difference is not arbitrary. Unlike the heavily subsidized domestic fuel, the cost of the imported Super gasoline is based on the international FOB Persian Gulf price, to which logistics costs, customs duties, value-added tax, distribution expenses, and importer profit margins are added. Officials have clarified that the 75,000 Toman figure reflects the true, unsubsidized cost of high-standard, internationally sourced fuel.
Quality Justification: The Importance of High Octane
The primary justification for the premium price lies in the fuel’s superior quality. The key differentiator is the octane rating—a measure of a fuel’s resistance to premature combustion, known as “knocking.”
- Domestic regular gasoline has an octane rating of approximately 87.
- Domestic Super gasoline has a rating of about 95.
- The new imported Super gasoline boasts an octane rating of 98 or higher, conforming to advanced European standards (Euro 5 and 6).
High-octane fuel is essential for modern, high-performance engines—particularly those with turbochargers and direct injection. Using lower-octane fuel in such engines can cause severe knocking, leading to significant and costly damage to pistons, connecting rods, and the engine block over time.
Who is the Target Consumer?
Given the substantial cost, the consumer base for this fuel is expected to be highly specific. It is not intended for the general public but rather for a niche market of vehicles with specialized engine requirements.
Imported Luxury Vehicles: High-end cars from manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and Lexus often have manufacturer mandates requiring fuel with an octane rating of 95 or 98. For owners of these vehicles, using the imported Super gasoline is a necessary investment to maintain engine health and avoid repair costs that far exceed the price of the fuel itself.
New Chinese-Assembled Cars with Turbo Engines: Many recently introduced Chinese-assembled models equipped with sensitive Turbo GDI engines can run on domestic Super fuel. However, using the 98-octane imported variant can significantly enhance engine longevity and performance, particularly under demanding conditions.
Valuable Sports and Classic Cars: Owners of collector-grade classic cars or high-performance sports cars, for whom preserving the integrity of the original engine is paramount, represent another key consumer group.
The article clarifies that for the majority of domestically produced cars, including turbocharged models like Dena Plus Turbo or Shahin—which are calibrated for Iran’s domestic fuel standards—the use of this expensive imported gasoline is neither technically necessary nor economically justified.
Ensuring Market Integrity and Preventing Fraud
With such a significant price disparity between fuel grades, ensuring the integrity of the new product’s supply chain is crucial. To prevent malpractice, such as the adulteration of premium fuel, authorities are implementing measures including the use of dedicated distribution stations, distinct pump nozzles, digital monitoring from customs to the station, and periodic quality testing. These steps are designed to guarantee that consumers receive the authentic, high-octane product they are paying for.
A Step in Energy Market Management
The introduction of this premium fuel at its real economic cost represents a nuanced step in Iran’s energy policy. While it currently targets a small segment of the market, it provides a clear benchmark for the unsubsidized value of fuel, offering a new option for specific consumer needs while the government continues its support for the broader public through the existing subsidized fuel system.