Gas station sells fuel for just 59 cents — then the owner caught on
Drivers in California were surprised to see gasoline priced at just 59 cents per gallon at a service station in the Central Valley, even as fuel costs across the state continue to climb.
The unusually low price appeared late Friday night and continued into early Saturday morning at C’s Oasis Mobil in Fresno. According to the station’s owner, the drastic drop was the result of a hacking incident that altered the price at the pump. Because of the error, the station reportedly lost a significant amount of money.
Receipts from customers show just how dramatic the price difference was. One driver purchased 15 gallons of gas and paid only $8.97. Another receipt showed a driver paying $3.49 to fill six gallons. Both receipts indicated that the correct price should have been $5.95 per gallon, but customers were charged far less.
The pricing issue has since been corrected, though it remains unclear exactly how the breach occurred.
Exxon Corporation has launched an investigation into the situation at the Fresno station to determine what caused the pricing malfunction.
Meanwhile, fuel prices across California continue to rise sharply. As of Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the state reached $5.822, according to the American Automobile Association. That figure is more than 10 cents higher than the average price on Saturday and more than a dollar higher than it was just a month earlier.
The increase in fuel costs has followed ongoing tensions tied to the war in Iran. Before U.S.–Israeli strikes in Iran rattled global oil markets, the average price of gasoline in California was $4.642 per gallon, already far above the national average of $2.982.
Several factors contribute to California’s high gas prices. Critics point to policies promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Lawmakers and energy analysts have warned those policies could eventually push gasoline prices above $8 per gallon.
Drivers in the state also pay what is often referred to as a “California premium.” This includes higher state excise taxes and sales taxes, along with fees tied to climate-related programs that are unique to California.
In addition, California requires a specialized gasoline blend intended to reduce smog. That formula is more expensive to produce and can only be refined within the state or imported from a limited number of facilities overseas.
Earlier this month, energy company Chevron sent a warning letter to Governor Newsom, arguing that the state’s climate policies could lead to serious economic consequences.
The California Post contacted the owner of C’s Oasis and Exxon for additional comment.
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