Gasoline consumption rate in Iran is almost
twice the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate due to ample
reasons, said an energy consultant at Majlis Research Center Iraj
Mehr-Azma on Wednesday, IRNA reported from Tehran.
Mehr-Azma told IRNA said improper gasoline distribution system,
engine defects, dilapidated cars, low prices of the fuel and its
smuggling were responsible for the growth in the consumption rate.
He rejected claims that average growth of gasoline consumption
per car stands at 11 liters a day in Iran, saying one should expect
yet higher figure.
He said average gasoline consumption per car in other countries
fall in the range of 1.9 to 6.8 liters a day.
He added that based on research, about nine to fifteen percent
marketed gasoline is put out of consumption cycle for good reasons.
He warned that rise in gasoline consumption would turn into an
acute problem in future, raising the possibility for increase in the
imports.
Director of the International Affairs Department at National
Iranian Oil Company Hojatollah Ghanimifard had recently put the average
gasoline imports in the first four months of the year (started March
21) at 13.5 million liters a day, which showed an increase of 52.5
percent compared to the figure within the same period the previous
year.
Government had had to pay dlrs 316 million for the imports in the
said period, which has been unprecedented in history of gasoline
imports by the country.
... Payvand News - 7/31/03 ... --
