No matter your political affiliation, no one can deny that gas prices have become pretty steep. They’re not as bad as they were a few months ago, but they also haven’t dropped to the levels we saw before the US began military strikes in Iran. After months of these high prices, the latest from the US government regarding relief comes in the form of a sudden White House endorsement of something called the Freedom Fuel Network and its discounted, presidential-themed gas prices. It has left us with questions and not many answers.
Here Are The Basics
The Freedom Fuel Network seems to have opened up this week, and the White House promoted the gas station group both on its official social media channels and on its YouTube channel on July 7. This promotion involved a minute and a half video showing a few customers filling up at what is claimed to be the first of those stations, with said customers also thanking President Trump. We’ve embedded the video above. Beyond the video, the White House gives no other information as to how or why it’s endorsing the chain of stations, or whether the White House has any direct involvement with it. Apparently, a White House representative told Time that the chain is operated by a private owner and that the government is not involved in any way.
The Freedom Fuel Network’s website also says that the chain is run by a private owner, though it doesn’t give any further details about the organization. About all it says is that it wanted to lower prices out of the implied goodness of the owner’s heart, and supposedly it has increased business. The site also shows that the network consists of just 25 gas stations, with most located in Pennsylvania, and a few in New Jersey. They’re all located around the Philadelphia metro area.
Close-up of the buttons and prices on a Freedom Fuel Network gas pump.White House / YouTube
The Prices Are Lower, But The Best Deal Is Regular
The gas prices are lower, though the difference varies based on the type of fuel you choose. In the White House video, the prices at the pump are clearly visible. Regular 87-octane fuel is priced at $3.47 a gallon, which is a clear nod to Trump having the 47th presidency. As of today, AAA reports the average price of regular gas in Pennsylvania at 3.99 per gallon, and 3.92 in New Jersey. Nationally, regular gas is averaging $3.88. The prices are closer to par for midgrade 89-octane and premium 91-octane or higher. The video shows midgrade at 4.42 per gallon, just $0.04 cheaper than the Pennsylvania average, and premium at $4.65, a discount of $0.20 per gallon. These prices could, of course, have varied since the video was released a couple of days ago.
The Questions We Have Left
The lack of specifics about this whole operation leave many questions. Who is actually running this chain? The New York Times only found trademarks registered to the company and the company’s lawyer, so that remains a mystery. How can this chain have such significantly discounted prices, and how long can they last? We would assume that the company is losing a fair bit of money on fuel, so it would likely need to make that up with some other part of the business or with some sort of subsidization. We’re also curious if the chain encompasses just the fuel stations and convenience stores, or any other part of the supply chain. Plus, will this chain expand beyond its small region?
A man fills up his Kia at a Freedom Fuel Network pump.White House / YouTube
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
People should have legitimate concerns about the lack of information surrounding this company, and how it’s being promoted by the White House. It seems strange for official White House channels to be using time to promote a business, and if Trump, family members, or other parts of the White House cabinet are involved in some way, that raises even bigger conflicts of interest that are worrying. However, for the average consumer, this chain doesn’t mean much. It’s a highly regional chain, not a national one, so any benefits seen will be localized. Most people will never be affected by it. Instead, customers will be facing the same high prices they have been, and probably won’t see significant relief until the Iranian conflict is resolved.
Source: Freedom Fuel Network, The White House, Time, The New York Times
