The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) issued more than 4 million smart fuel cards during the last four months, head of the sate-run company said.
“Now that gasoline has been rationed and motorists must have a card to fill up if they want subsidized fuel, there is a deluge of applicants for the cards,” Amir Vakilzadeh was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Close to 120,000 people have filled the special form at www.niopc.ir and the number is expected to rise.
The official said those who have not yet received their cards need not worry about their monthly quota (60 liters per month per car) because it will loaded in their new card and be valid for six months.
NIOPDC is issuing 35,000 cards per day which is normally delivered to car owners in three weeks. Reportedly close to 6 million cards have been issued since May, 30% of which are in the post offices for delivery to owners.
On November 15, NIOPDC announced that gasoline was rationed and prices spiked by 200%. Private car owners can buy 60 liters of subsidized gasoline every month with a fuel card at 15,000 rials (13 cents) per liter. Additional purchases cost double.
“Those who have more than one car will get separate quotas for each vehicle,” Vakilzadeh said, adding that the rule is supposed to change and details will be announced later.
He added that of the total daily gasoline sales of 95 million liters, 27% or 25 million liters will be sold at non-subsidized tariffs (26 cents per liter).
Unlike last year when consumption rose by 14%, increasing from 83 million liters to 95 million liters a day, NIOPDC has projected a 10% decline by March 2020.
The official added that access to subsidized fuel is possible only with the use of smart fuel cards that will be loaded with 60 liters every month and the unused fuel (maximum 360 liters) can be saved for six months.
Vakilzadeh noted that all cards were loaded on November 15 for the first time, but it is not clear whether they will be charged on Dec. 15 or Dec 21 for the second time.
