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FACTBOX: Iran's gasoline rationing plan
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran introduced gasoline rationing for motorists on Wednesday in a bid to rein in costly imports that it has to make because the world's fourth largest oil exporter lacks refining capacity to meet local consumption.
Following are some key facts about the rationing plan:
* Iran consumes 75 million liters or more a day of fuel, importing about 40 percent to meet domestic consumption which has been growing at 10 percent a year. An official said the initial aim is to cut consumption to about 60 million liters.
* Imports cost the Islamic Republic about $5 billion last year, while this year's budget to March 2008 is $2.5 billion. All fuel is sold at the heavily subsidized price of 1,000 rials a liter, about 11 U.S. cents, among the world's cheapest.
* International traders ship about 210,000 barrels per day or 25 cargoes of fuel a month to Iran. Imports mainly come from India, the Netherlands, France and the United Arab Emirates.
* Private motorists will receive 100 liters a month but can buy up to four months allocation in advance. That amount may be extended to six months. Cars which also burn compressed natural gas (CNG) receive 60 liters a day.
* Allocations for other drivers are as follows: official taxis receive 800 liters and part-time taxis get 600 liters but those which also burn CNG get less; diplomatic vehicles get 600 liters; and government cars get 300 liters.
* Iran faces a possible fresh round of harsher United Nations sanctions over its nuclear row with the West. The United States, which says Iran is seeking to build atomic bombs, has said gasoline imports are a point of "leverage". Tehran insists its nuclear plans are purely civilian.
