Gas Stations NAICS 457120

Apr 26, 2026 - EPA Issues Emergency E15 Waiver

• In March, the EPA announced it is granting an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol added) to be used during summer driving, Energy Marketers of America reports. The agency’s temporary waiver allowing nationwide summer sales of E15 gives gasoline stations a short term opportunity to expand fuel offerings and attract price sensitive customers. Stations already equipped to sell E15 can continue offering it during peak travel months instead of switching back to E10, helping maintain steady sales and potentially boosting margins since ethanol is often cheaper than gasoline. However, the impact is uneven. Many stations lack compatible pumps or storage, limiting immediate adoption. The waiver also creates operational uncertainty, as retailers must manage labeling, compliance, and potential liability concerns under shifting rules. Overall, stations with existing E15 infrastructure may benefit from increased traffic and competitive pricing.
• 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 1.7% in March compared to a year ago, after climbing 12.8% in the previous March-versus-March annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Industry producer prices are volatile, easing in March from their record high in February. 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 retail price per gallon for regular motor gasoline was $3.64 in March; up 25.1% from February 2026 and up 17.5% from March 2025, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Employment by gas stations was flat year over year in February, while the average industry wage rose 2.3% over the same period to $19.05 per hour, on par with its all-time high, BLS data show.