This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Gas Tops $8 Gallon at Lukoil for 24 Hours

Station owners stage protest today, claiming suppliers charge them 5 to 20 cents more per gallon of petrol.

Some gas station owners say they, too, are being gouged at the gas pump.

While a gallon of gas continues to rise toward $4 a gallon, Lukoil owners say it is becoming more difficult for them to remain competitive in the market. That’s because they claim their suppliers charge them 5 to 20 cents more per gallon of gas, forcing them to pass the higher prices along to their customers.

Today, Lukoil station owners in New Jersey, including two locations in Princeton, and around the country are staging a protest. They want to draw attention to the high prices they’re being forced to pay. But you may not believe their strategy.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

NJ.com is reporting that, for 24 hours, some Lukoil gas stations have raised their prices to $8 a gallon.

The station owners are protesting what NJ.com reports is the company’s “unjustified" pricing policies, according to Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline Convenience-Automotive Association.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Lukoil’s pricing policies have caused some dealers to lose more than 50 percent of their volume, while others have “turned in their keys," Risalvato said.

Franchise owners at gas stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are hanging huge banners explaining the pricing situation to customers. The banners also urge customers to call Lukoil's offices as a way of pressuring the company to change its policies.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?