Class Action Lawsuit Says Major Gas Retailers are Short-Changing Consumers

As if gas prices aren’t high enough, a new class action lawsuit out of Kansas claims major gas retailers such 7-Eleven, BP, Chevron, Citgo, Conoco, Circle-K, Shell, QuickTrip, Walmart and Valero, among others, are short-changing customers by selling them “hot fuel.”

“Hot fuel” is the term used to describe fuel that is sold above the industry-standard temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When gasoline goes above this temperature, its volume expands, essentially giving consumers less gas for their money. Once the gasoline cools, a “full” tank is no longer full.

According to an MSN report, Costco settled a similar class action lawsuit in 2009 that found consumers lost between $40 and $100 a year by purchasing hot fuel at Costco. And a 2006 investigation by The Kansas City Star found that U.S. consumers spent about $2.3 billion more for gasoline and diesel due to hot fuel. That’s a lot of money being thrown away, especially for people pinching pennies in these tough economic times.

The lawsuit, which was recently given class action status, is seeking compensation from companies in 26 states, Guam and Washington, D.C.