Nizhny Novgorod residents were explained why gasoline prices differ at gas stations.

      June 19, 2026 18:20 Economy The government will use all available mechanisms to curb price growth and ensure the fuel market. This was stated in an interview by Yuri Stankevich, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy and Deputy from the Nizhny Novgorod Region. According to him, the production capacities of Russian oil refineries for gasoline and diesel fuel exceed domestic demand. The parliamentarian also explained why fuel prices may differ at different gas stations. The price difference is most often related to who exactly sells the fuel. Large vertically integrated companies, such as Rosneft or Lukoil, extract oil, refine it, and supply it to their own gas stations. This allows them to smooth out wholesale price fluctuations and keep prices at a more stable level. The situation is different for independent gas stations: they purchase fuel at market prices, which can rise. These costs are directly reflected in the prices for motorists. Logistics also has a significant impact on the price.

      "The cost of transporting fuel from the refinery to a specific gas station can vary significantly depending on the region and distance. This has a particularly strong effect on pricing for independent networks that do not have their own refineries and logistics capacities," Stankevich emphasized.

      Large companies often earn not only from gasoline sales but also from ancillary services—stores, cafes, car washes. Therefore, they can afford to keep fuel prices slightly lower to attract customers.

      "Independent stations, whose main income comes from fuel sales, may include a larger markup in the price to ensure profitability," the deputy explained.

      The Federal Antimonopoly Service controls the situation in the market. Together with the Ministry of Energy, it sets minimum volumes of mandatory fuel sales on the exchange to ensure that independent gas stations have access to resources and competition is maintained. In addition, the FAS monitors the dynamics of wholesale and retail prices and conducts inspections in case of suspected unjustified price increases or collusion. As Yuri Stankevich emphasized, industry representatives are making every effort to meet the needs of the economy and vehicle owners for motor fuel. Earlier, the regional Ministry of Energy denied a fuel shortage at Nizhny Novgorod gas stations. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+