Three-Digit Price Anxiety at Fuel Pumps
The possibility of fuel prices exceeding 100 TL worries the sector and dealers because the existing meter infrastructure in thousands of stations is insufficient.
The possibility of fuel prices exceeding the 99.99 TL threshold and reaching three-digit figures due to activity in the petroleum market has caused anxiety regarding the pump meter infrastructure at thousands of fuel stations across Turkey.
Current State of Infrastructure
There are between 75,000 and 80,000 active pumps in approximately 14,000 licensed fuel stations operating across Turkey.
According to the current field inventory, one-third of the pumps consist of older-type manual meters, while another third supports two full digits.
Investment and Conversion Costs
Sector representatives state that an infrastructure transformation carried out in a short time will create a heavy financial burden on dealers and distribution companies experiencing margin tightness.
While renewing an old-type manual pump requires $7,000 per pump and revising digital pumps requires $1,500, it is stated that the total conversion cost will reach approximately $212.5 million.
Discussions Conducted with EPDK
Sector representatives are carrying out intense traffic of negotiations with the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) in order to prevent a possible automation and meter lock.
In these ongoing discussions, topics such as granting a reasonable schedule for field transformations, temporary solutions, and regulatory harmonization are on the table.