The push to protect the environment is having a noticeable impact on everyday costs. Electric vehicles, which policymakers in Europe are aiming to adopt more broadly, typically carry price tags higher than petrol and diesel cars—roughly one and a half times as much—primarily due to the cost of advanced battery systems. This price gap influences consumer choices, fleet planning, and broader market dynamics across North America and beyond.
Meanwhile, authorities and industry experts continue to push for cleaner exhaust emissions from traditional internal combustion engines. In Russia, experts from Za Rulem, a long-standing pillar of automotive journalism, have warned that tightening emissions controls are likely to accelerate shifts away from older fuel grades. In particular, the prospect of AI-92 gasoline disappearing could become a reality sooner than many expect, given the pace of regulatory change and the need for cleaner combustion technologies.
The rationale lies in a set of amendments to the Technical Regulation on the safety of wheeled vehicles. This regulatory framework serves as the foundation for all vehicles manufactured or imported into Russia, setting the safety, performance, and environmental benchmarks that must be met. As Russia moves toward environmental class 6, which aligns with the European Euro-6 standard, ongoing monitoring of carbon monoxide and other pollutants is becoming mandatory. The resulting data is recorded in the vehicle passport documentation, ensuring traceability and accountability across the market.
cleaner exhaust systems require stricter fuel specifications. The future standards aim for fuels that are not only cleaner but also more energy efficient, challenging older gasoline formulations that fail to meet these evolving criteria. Although the exact timing for implementing these new requirements remains uncertain, the regulatory process involves cooperation among five EAEU member countries. Such negotiations are intricate and typically time-consuming, but expectations point toward a practical adoption window in 2023, reflecting regional commitments to improved air quality and public health.
In addition to technical changes, there is talk of higher excise taxes on both vehicles and fuel. tax regulations in Russia have already seen a 4% increase since the start of 2023, a move that could influence consumer purchasing patterns, fleet economics, and manufacturers’ pricing strategies. The combined effect of stricter fuel standards and fiscal measures may accelerate the transition to cleaner mobility, alter maintenance costs, and shift demand toward newer technologies across the Canadian and U.S. markets as well.
Read about other challenges facing drivers in 2023 in the January issue of Za Rulem—now available for purchase. The magazine is also sold on major marketplaces.
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The material reflects interpretations of evolving regulatory and market dynamics in 2023, presented to readers as part of a broader discussion on how policy, technology, and consumer behavior intersect in the automotive landscape.