Russia plans to thin out fuel queues based on odd-even vehicle registration numbers

Several Russian regions are introducing fuel sales based on whether a vehicle's registration number begins with an odd or even digit, as authorities seek to ease long queues at petrol stations.

Source: Russian Telegram channel Mash

Details: Several regions are adopting a fuel distribution system first introduced in Russia's Oryol Oblast, under which motorists may only purchase petrol on designated days determined by their vehicle registration numbers. According to Mash, the system is being studied and prepared for implementation in four Russian regions.

The scheme has reportedly been all but approved in Lipetsk Oblast, where staff are already being trained to oversee compliance at petrol stations. Residents will be notified over the next few days, and the new rules are expected to take effect on Saturday.

"The system works as follows: drivers whose registration numbers begin with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 may refuel on even-numbered days, while those whose numbers begin with 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may do so on odd-numbered days. The limit is 30 litres per vehicle," Mash said.

According to the Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast will also introduce the odd-even fuel sales system from 9 July.

Vehicles with registration numbers beginning with 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 will be allowed to refuel on even-numbered dates, while those beginning with 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 will be allowed to refuel on odd-numbered dates.

The measure will not apply to petrol stations along the M-12 motorway or to emergency and essential services.

Background:

• A fuel crisis is deepening in Russia and the occupied territories amid continuing Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries. Fuel shortages previously reported in occupied Sevastopol and Crimea have spread to the Moscow region.
• Reuters reported that Russia has begun importing petrol from India by sea.
• Russia has also been negotiating with Kazakhstan to import around 50,000 metric tonnes of AI-92 petrol to ease domestic shortages caused by refinery shutdowns and unscheduled maintenance.

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