The consumption of super gasoline was seriously reduced last September, according to data from the Chamber of Petroleum Products Distributors (Camddepe). While in August the monthly consumption was 130,592 barrels, for September the specified consumption fell to 91,422 barrels. The rising price of this 95-octane fuel, which is more environmentally friendly and for vehicle engines, is a decisive factor in the decline in consumption.

The drop in consumption also reflects a decrease in market share: so super gasoline went from 2.7% to 1.96% of the automotive fuel market (liquid and gas), says Oswaldo Erazo, executive secretary of Camddepe. . To better illustrate, Erazo states that out of every 100 gallons sold at a gas station, only 2 are super. For the union commissioner, super consumption becomes marginal, just like what happened with ecoplús, which has already left the market.

According to Eraz, the behavior of the market affects the state coffers, since unsubsidized gasoline is no longer consumed, and consumers continue to migrate to regular fuels, namely eco-country and extra gasoline (85 octane), which are subsidized. According to Petroecuador’s report on fuel subsidies, valid from October 12 to November 11, the subsidy for additional gasoline reaches 71 cents per gallon. The state subsidizes, and so does ecopaís, but even with a higher value, because the mentioned state support reaches 96 cents per gallon.

In addition to the fiscal problem, the higher consumption of regular gasoline also affects the environment, since regular gasoline has more lead and less octane; In this sense, it affects even vehicle engines that are designed for higher quality fuel. What is happening on the market, says Erazo, shows that “the consumer prefers price to quality”. This is not recommended for the Erazo as it will damage the engines in the long run. Expert advice to the consumer is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

The price of super in Ecuador is adjusted to international prices, and as far as is known, gasoline has risen strongly abroad in the previous weeks. First, because Russia and Arabia have ratified the reduction of crude oil deliveries until December, that is, there is less supply. Furthermore, there is a conflict in the Gaza Strip in October, which makes the markets jittery. Finally, the eventual entry of Iran into the conflict would further increase the price of crude oil, and thus the price of fuel.

On the other hand, data from Camddepe show that between August and September there was also a drop in fuel consumption on a general level. Thus, for example, in August, 4.8 million barrels of fuel were consumed for the automotive sector (including gas), and in September that figure dropped to 4.6 million barrels. Among the fuels that are consumed the most is premium diesel, which increased from 2.2 million to 2.15 million barrels. As for additional gasoline, it goes from 1.16 million to 1.13 million barrels, and ecoland from 1.28 million to 1.23 million barrels consumed. According to Eraz, the decline of the overall market may be due to the fact that August is a month of high consumption due to annual vacations, and thus greater use of personal vehicles. On the other hand, September is a more standard month for consumption.