The National Automobiles Union has approached the country’s finance leadership with a concrete request aimed at easing the burden on drivers and households. The proposal calls for a temporary reduction in excise taxes on both gasoline and diesel fuel. This is envisioned as a short-term measure designed to alleviate price pressures at the pump and support broader economic activity during a period of fluctuations in energy markets.
According to a published letter, NAS President Anton Shaparin urges Finance Minister Anton Siluanov to consider cutting the excise duties by 50 percent for the period from June 1 to December 31, 2022. The suggested rates would set the tax on gasoline at 6,896 rubles per ton and the tax on diesel at 4,778 rubles per ton. The publication of these figures helps illuminate the scale of the proposed relief and provides a concrete benchmark for policy discussions surrounding fuel affordability.
Proponents argue that lowering fuel taxes would translate into lower prices at gas stations, making travel more accessible to a wider segment of the population. Increased mobility could foster regional tourism, encouraging residents to explore domestic destinations and supporting local economies where visitors spend on lodging, meals, and services. In turn, the expectation is that broader consumption patterns could help mitigate inflationary pressures by easing the costs of everyday life and reducing the cost of goods linked to fuel logistics.
The question of excise tax reductions has been on the table for some time. It was part of conversations held in March during a meeting of the Russian Tripartite Commission, a forum that channels dialogue among labor, business, and government representatives about social and industrial relations. Those talks reflect a broader intent to align fiscal policy with current economic realities while maintaining social stability and momentum in the market for energy products.
The NAS letter also highlights a notable drop in average daily fuel exports from Russia to other markets, reporting a 20 percent decrease in April compared with March. Trade and price signals show movement in the energy complex, including shifts in commodity pricing that affect market participants. In practical terms, today’s price levels for refined fuels, such as AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline, illustrate the volatility in the sector, with certain grades trading at levels materially different from those seen a few weeks earlier on the stock exchanges. The document points to these dynamics to underscore the potential impact of tax relief on consumer costs and market sentiment.
Should the excise reduction be approved, the practical effect could be a noticeable drop in the retail price of fuel at filling stations—potentially by as much as ten percent. In numerical terms, the estimate suggests a reduction of roughly five rubles per liter, which would be a meaningful decrease for daily drivers and for businesses dependent on transportation. Such a step could reinforce consumer purchasing power and contribute to a more favorable trajectory for household budgets and domestic tourism in the near term.
Acknowledgment of the proposed measure comes with a sense of urgency and practical consideration from the NAS, underscoring how fiscal policy tools intersect with consumer behavior, regional development, and the broader economy. The discussion continues to unfold as policymakers weigh the fiscal implications, the potential knock-on effects for logistics and price levels, and the overall aim of stabilizing or stimulating activity without triggering unintended consequences.
A visual reference accompanies this report from Anton Belitsky of TASS and the program Behind the Wheel, highlighting the ongoing public and media interest in how fuel policy shapes everyday life and regional economic vitality.