Gasoline Consumption in Iran Reaches 140 Million Liters per Day

The CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company noted that gasoline consumption continues to rise this year, stating that consumption 'reached 140 million liters on Saturday, September 3.' Jafar Salari Nasab, in an interview with Mehr News Agency, also pointed out that gasoline consumption is currently at its peak and is not expected to exceed 140 million liters per day. Statistics indicate that the upward trend in gasoline consumption has continued since the beginning of the year 1403 (2024). The CEO had previously mentioned in May that 'the average daily gasoline consumption in the country has increased by eight million liters this year.' While daily gasoline consumption has reached 140 million liters, Jalil Salari, the Deputy Minister of Oil, had reported this figure to be around 118 million liters in May 1403. He stated in a press conference: 'Despite 30 million users, we have a daily fuel consumption of 139 million liters across the country, which includes 118 million liters of gasoline and 21 million cubic meters of CNG.' The imbalance in gasoline due to increased consumption and insufficient production has become one of the main challenges for the government. It was anticipated that with the new government taking office, a more serious pursuit of gasoline price increases would occur. However, officials in the government of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also emphasize 'non-price solutions' to address this issue. Mohsen Paknejad, the Minister of Oil, emphasized on his first day in office that price solutions to resolve the gasoline imbalance are never considered, stating: 'Non-price solutions that go beyond the Ministry of Oil, in cooperation with other organizations and ministries, will be on the agenda to create balance in production and consumption without raising gasoline prices.' Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned last month in an interview with the website of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, that there is an energy imbalance in the country. He stated in this interview: 'Currently, eight billion dollars are paid for gasoline purchases. This means we buy gasoline for about 30 or 40 thousand tomans and sell it for 1,500 tomans! How long can we continue this?' The sudden and significant increase in gasoline prices in November 1398 (2019) led to widespread public protests, and since then, despite the severe devaluation of the rial in recent years, the government has not risked another increase in gasoline prices.