The fuel imbalance crisis has reached a point where price reform has become an unavoidable necessity. However, experts believe that the lack of trust between the government and society is the main obstacle to any structural changes. This deadlock can only be broken through transparency in revenue expenditure and infrastructure development for hybrid vehicles.
The Necessity of Reforming Energy Carrier Prices
According to the Energy Secretariat, the imbalance in the production and consumption of energy carriers in Iran is no longer a warning but a tangible reality that has affected all supply chains and public budgets. Hamid Reza Salehi, the head of the Energy Export Federation, states that reforming energy carrier prices is not a choice but an undeniable necessity, and he seeks the root of social resistance to these reforms in the "trust gap."
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Over the past two decades, fuel prices have remained stable despite rising general inflation, and this lack of change has not only turned fuel smuggling into a profitable industry but has also hindered fleet modernization. People are now concerned that a price increase will not be for optimization but rather a tool to compensate for the government's budget deficit. This perception will continue to be a major obstacle for policymakers until the government presents a detailed plan for the expenditure of revenues generated from these reforms in an honest manner.
International Challenges and the Need to Redefine Strategies
The specific international situation and the decline in foreign currency revenues have restricted the government's ability to continue importing gasoline. In a situation where importing has become extremely difficult due to logistical and economic constraints, it is no longer possible to manage the imbalance with temporary solutions. Experts believe that reforms should be implemented gradually and centered around "public persuasion." People must share in the benefits of these reforms.
A model similar to what was implemented in France for the development of electric vehicles could be effective. In this model, the government pays part of the cost of purchasing green vehicles as an incentive to create sufficient motivation for the transition from high-consumption to low-consumption vehicles. Additionally, alongside pricing policies, there should be a movement towards foundational solutions.
One of the key proposals is to leverage strategic relations with China to establish hybrid vehicle production lines within the country. This action is not just a symbolic move but a "fundamental task" to reduce fuel consumption at the source. If fuel price reform is accompanied by a technological attachment such as widespread production of hybrid vehicles, people will perceive the change not as an economic burden but as a "welfare and technological leap."
Transparency in all energy carriers (electricity, gas, and gasoline) and the entry of the private sector into the fuel supply and production chain with the aim of competitive pricing and quality enhancement are other facets that can help restore damaged trust and pave the way for overcoming the energy crisis.
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