China’s problems with gasoline: service stations begin to ration fuel

China’s energy crisis begins to affect the supply of fuels in some regions of the country. The stations in Guangxi and Anhui, in the east and southwest of the country, have begun to limit supply to 1,000 yuan per customer to ration consumption. The sale of electricity generators skyrockets due to power outages and with it the demand for diesel at home.

The scene of long lines of trucks at gas stations in the Chinese provinces of Guangxi and Anhui are more and more frequent, progresses Bloomberg. The Asian giant is entering a new phase of the energy crisis with fuel supply problems. Some service stations have begun to limit the dispensing of gasoline per customer per day.

Gas stations are trying to avoid running out of fuel at their pumps with the restriction to 1,000 yuan per customer per day for gasoline or diesel, which is equivalent to around 130 euros. A few days ago the limit was 2,500 yuan, more than 300 euros. Quantities are not a problem for a utility vehicle but it is starting to be a problem for trucks. And also for citizens who use combustion generators to avoid power outages.

Generator sales have skyrocketed as government restrictions on electricity use have progressed. And with it the consumption of diesel in the domestic sphere, in parallel with an increase in blackouts. While service stations limit the supply to customers, the authorities are trying to increase reserves by reducing exports and increasing imports.

Both independent and state-owned refineries have repeatedly raised wholesale prices for diesel and gasoline due to the rise in the price of oil. This situation puts service stations in serious trouble by laminating their margins. Some gas stations are serving fuel at a loss, below the cost at which they bought it.

China is going through a deep energy crisis derived from the lack of coal and natural gas stocks. The production constraints that Beijing is imposing on the entire country to reduce emissions is exacerbating the situation as the price of raw materials skyrockets.