My guess is those are fleet cards, and yes if they limit sales without them it is rationing. Fleet cards world wide are normally for companies and it makes sense they would do rationing this way as their economy is already fucked enough (for them, I am down for more fucking) and this is the “softest” way to do a rationing without saying they are doing it.
So assuming that that’s what’s going on…these fleet cards would be used by fleet operators? Like…the Russian equivalent of, I guess, FedEx or trucking companies or taxi companies would basically be getting priority for available fuel?
In response to the crisis, the city administration launched an online map allowing residents to monitor fuel availability at local filling stations in real time. As of July 3, every station listed on the map had run out of gasoline, with only diesel fuel remaining in stock.
Despite the shortages for the general public, motorists with corporate fuel cards issued by employers are still able to refuel.
My guess is those are fleet cards, and yes if they limit sales without them it is rationing. Fleet cards world wide are normally for companies and it makes sense they would do rationing this way as their economy is already fucked enough (for them, I am down for more fucking) and this is the “softest” way to do a rationing without saying they are doing it.
So assuming that that’s what’s going on…these fleet cards would be used by fleet operators? Like…the Russian equivalent of, I guess, FedEx or trucking companies or taxi companies would basically be getting priority for available fuel?
EDIT: In support of your theory:
https://united24media.com/world/gasoline-disappears-from-all-filling-stations-in-russias-novorossiysk-amid-fuel-shortages-20417
Almost any business can set up a fleet card, its not just big players. But the big companies tend to be the main users.
This is just a way to ration but not call it that. And knowing russians they are going to cheat the everliving fuck out of this.