Saeid Rahmansalari spoke on Sunday at the inauguration ceremony of the Babaei CNG station in Tehran, saying: "Nine CNG stations were officially brought online today with the collaboration of the government and the private sector, and with investments exceeding 1 trillion rials, simultaneously in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Isfahan, Tehran, Kurdestan, and East Azarbaijan."

He noted that the launch of these stations will create direct employment for 100 people, adding: "The performance of the nine stations that have joined the national fuel distribution network today is equivalent to the output of nine small refineries. Over the course of one year of operation, these stations will result in savings of 118 million liters in national gasoline consumption."

The CNG Project Director continued: "This level of savings, considering the current value of gasoline, means preventing $118 million in annual foreign currency outflows from the country. Beyond its direct impact on fuel market balance, this achievement is also of significant importance from the perspective of the national economy and the country's resilience."

Launch of the First Multi-Purpose Gas and Electricity Station in Varamin

Rahmansalari also announced the commissioning of the 20th electric vehicle charging station, which coincided with the opening of the Varamin Municipality CNG station. He said: "In addition to supplying fuel for natural gas vehicles, this station also has the capability to charge electric vehicles and is considered one of the country's multi-purpose stations."

He added: "Following a call for proposals in the area of developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, we have received approximately 250 new applications for establishing electric charging stations. These applications are currently undergoing technical review. It is planned that by the end of this year, utilizing existing capacities at CNG stations, electric charging stations will be set up and operated within the premises of CNG stations."

The Director of the CNG Project at the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company emphasized that these projects have been carried out relying entirely on domestic engineering capabilities. He stated: "At a time when the country has endured two wars in recent months and external pressures on the country's energy infrastructure have been heavy, all these stations have been constructed and launched based on domestic technical knowledge and local manufacturing."

Increased CNG Capacity in Sistan and Baluchestan

Referring to the fuel supply infrastructure situation in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Rahmansalari recalled: "At the start of the 14th government's term, this province had only three CNG stations. But today, with the government's efforts and private sector cooperation, the province's 11th CNG station has been launched, and the CNG station capacity in the province has increased roughly fourfold during this period."

He continued: "CNG sales in Sistan and Baluchestan Province have risen from about 30,000 cubic meters per day at the beginning of the 14th government to 175,000 cubic meters per day now. We also plan to launch five additional stations in this province by the end of this year, which are currently under construction or in the equipment installation phase."

Free Conversion of Ride-Hailing Taxis to Natural Gas Vehicles

The CNG Project Director also referred to the targeted plan for converting ride-hailing taxi vehicles, stating: "In cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and active ride-hailing transportation platforms in the country, vehicles with daily usage exceeding 200 kilometers are being converted to natural gas vehicles completely free of charge, using fourth-generation kits, in the provinces of Tehran, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchestan."

Rahmansalari added: "In addition to reducing national gasoline consumption, this plan lowers drivers' fuel costs and boosts their incomes. We plan to expand this program in the near future to cover ride-hailing taxis in other provinces as well."

13% Reduction in Gasoline Consumption in Kerman

Referring to the successful experience of Kerman Province in fuel consumption management, he said: "The implementation of non-price policies in this province during August this year reduced gasoline consumption by 13%, while CNG consumption in the province increased by 13% compared to July."

The CNG Project Director continued: "CNG consumption in Kerman Province after the application of these policies has increased by about 30% compared to August 2025. This experience shows that through non-price and smart policies, the share of alternative fuels in the consumption basket can be increased, reducing the gasoline imbalance and contributing to the strengthening of the national economy and the country's energy security."

Rahmansalari, referring to the current state of the country's fuel market, said: "The country is currently facing the challenge of gasoline imbalance, and the government's policy, within the framework of the strategies of the Seventh Development Plan, is to expand and generalize alternative fuels in the national fuel distribution network. The development of CNG stations is of strategic importance in terms of protecting national wealth, strengthening energy security, and reducing air pollution. The simultaneous launch of these nine stations serves this very purpose and is in line with achieving the goals of the development document."