Gas Stations NAICS 457120

Jun 26, 2026 - Lingering Pain at the Pump

• Motorists hoping for quick relief following the preliminary US-Iran deal, may have to be patient, The New York Times reports. Industry analysts note that retail fuel prices typically rise quickly when oil prices increase but fall gradually when crude prices retreat, allowing stations to recover margins that were compressed during periods of rapidly rising wholesale costs. Consequently, gas station operators may continue to benefit from elevated fuel prices for some time because gasoline prices are expected to decline more slowly than crude oil costs, which have retreated to pre-war levels. Still, damaged Middle East energy infrastructure, ongoing risks to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and continued supply uncertainty could keep fuel costs elevated for weeks or months, according to NYT. Higher fuel prices may support station revenues but could also reduce consumer purchasing power and increase sensitivity to fuel costs.
• The Trump administration's rollback of federal greenhouse-gas regulations, culminating in the elimination of the EPA's endangerment finding, effectively removes meaningful national fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks, The New York Times reports. For gasoline retailers, this shift could slow the long-term decline in fuel demand by reducing pressure on automakers to improve vehicle efficiency or accelerate the transition to cleaner technologies. With civil penalties eliminated and California's stricter rules blocked, automakers face fewer incentives to produce high-mpg or alternative-fuel vehicles, potentially extending the market dominance of gasoline-powered vehicles. But, the absence of federal standards also increases policy uncertainty. States like California plan legal challenges, and future administrations could reinstate stricter rules, complicating long-term demand forecasting for gas stations. While the near-term environment may support steadier gasoline consumption, retailers must navigate a fragmented regulatory landscape and shifting consumer preferences as climate policy becomes more volatile.

• President Trump has moved to pull the plug on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI), his predecessor’s initiative to build a nationwide network of EV charging stations, Politico reports. In February, Trump instructed states not to spend federal funds previously allocated to them under the program. In a letter to state transportation directors, the Federal Highway Administration said that it was scrapping guidance issued in 2023 implementing the NEVI program. However, the letter says states will be able to receive reimbursements for “existing obligations” to design and build stations "in order to not disrupt current financial commitments.” Whether Trump can choose not to spend funds allocated by congress is likely to face legal challenges. Still, the administration’s move to block future EV charging station construction and, more broadly, Trump’s pro-fossil-fuel policies, brighten the outlook for suppliers of traditional motor fuels.
• Producer prices for gasoline stations rose 9.3% in May compared to a year ago, after climbing 10.7% in the previous May-versus-May annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Industry producer prices are volatile, easing in May from their record high in April. Surging fuel costs and expanding retail margins tied to energy market shocks from the Iran war are driving producer price inflation for gas stations. Meanwhile, the average price for regular motor gasoline was $4.48 per gallon in May; up 9.2% from April and 42.2% from May 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Employment by gas stations remained flat year over year in April, while the average industry wage rose 1.6% over the same period to $18.76 per hour, retreating from its high in January, BLS data show.