Summer Chaos at Bulgarian Gas Stations

As summer travel peaks in Bulgaria at the start of August, many drivers have encountered unexpected difficulties at the pump. Some gas stations, especially smaller ones, are either running out of gasoline or closing temporarily due to a shortage of bioethanol, a mandatory fuel additive without which gasoline cannot be legally sold.

The issue traces back to a recent EU regulation requiring all fuels to contain at least 10% bioethanol, a standard in place since March to meet environmental goals....