Fuels Resource Center

Fueling up is so easy and so convenient that just about every one of the nearly 40 million Americans who fill up every day don’t think twice about it, unless things aren’t as easy or convenient. We give you an insider’s view at how fuel is produced, refined and ultimately sold at convenience stores across the United States. And, we look at some of the issues that could affect an otherwise easy and convenient fill up.

Latest News

June 9, 2021

NEW

Tesla Steers Toward Drive-In Restaurants

The electric car brand has filed a trademark for restaurant services.

June 9, 2021

NEW

EV Market Slows in U.S.

Thirty-nine percent of U.S. adults surveyed say they are considering an EV for their next car.

June 7, 2021

NEW

Circle K, Trillium, Musket Expand Sustainable Trucking

The refined products agreement between the companies leads to a creative, low-carbon renewable natural gas solution.

June 7, 2021

NEW

Fuels Market News Introduces the 2020 Fuel Leaders

The top five fuel brands in the convenience industry include Wawa, QuikTrip, Sheetz, QuickChek and Maverik.

View All Fuels News

Contact

If you have a question about the retail fuels industry that you would like answered, contact:

Jeff Lenard
VP, Strategic Industry Initiatives
(703) 518-4272
jlenard@convenience.org

Paige Anderson
Director, Government Relations
(703) 518-4221
panderson@convenience.org

The Fuels Institute is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to evaluating issues affecting the vehicles and fuels markets. The organization commissions comprehensive, fact-based research projects that are designed to answer questions, not advocate a specific outcome.

Fuels Market News, published by NACS, is the downstream petroleum industry’s trusted source for fuels-related news and information. Encompassing a content-rich news website, weekly e-newsletters and an event-focused print magazine, FMN covers all things related to the fuels industry.

On Convenience Matters, a weekly podcast brought to you by NACS, we bring listeners unique ideas and insights on all things related to convenience and fuels.

Consumer Insights

The 2020 NACS Consumer Fuels Survey
Four insights shed light on how fuel retailers can further delight customers in 2020. (Source: NACS Magazine, March 2020)

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9 Habits of Gas-Buying Customers
A new NACS report reveals 9 habits that gas-buying customers are likely displaying at the nearly 122,000 convenience stores in the United States that sell fuel.

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C-Stores Keep Drivers Fueled
Convenience stores sell nearly 80% of the gasoline purchased in the U.S., and gasoline is currently the fuel of choice for nearly 40 million U.S. drivers who fill up every day.

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Consumer Behavior at the Pump
NACS consumer surveys reveal how, when and where customers buy gas at U.S. convenience stores.

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High Five
Five insights shed light on how fuel retailers can further delight customers in 2019.

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Three Insights on Frequent C-Store Customers
Frequent customer trips and transactions are vital to the success and profitability of the U.S. convenience and fuel retailing industry.

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What Consumers Think About Gas Prices
Insights from NACS Consumer Fuels Surveys on consumer perceptions related to gas prices and the economy overall.

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Fuel Prices

Seasonal Gas Prices Explained
From refinery maintenance to consumer demand, seasonal fuel production affects gas prices at the pump.

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Why Gas Prices Vary Station to Station
Gas prices often differ because of three broad factors: taxes, fuel blends and margins.

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How Gas Is Priced
Gasoline prices are among the most recognizable price points in American commerce.

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What Is Octane?
A primer on octane’s role in fuel and its impact on vehicles.

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Key Facts About Diesel
Why diesel historically costs more than gasoline and other takeaways about the diesel fuel and vehicles market.

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Why Gas Is Priced Using Fractions of a Penny
Gas prices that end in 9/10th of a cent are standard practice today. It’s a practice that has its roots in the 1930s.

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Electric Vehicles

The Future of Mobility Includes Electric
With automakers redirecting more than $1 billion in resources for more than 100 new electrified models, the growth of the EV market is set to accelerate. (Source: NACS Magazine, June 2020)

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EV Lessons from Norway
Norway is now a global test lab for electric cars and for the new consumer behaviors the transition to electric creates. (Source: NACS Magazine, April 2020)

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Jump Start
What will it take to accelerate electrification and EV growth?(Source: NACS Magazine, August 2019)

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Charging Back
Fuel retailers investing in an EV infrastructure seek a level playing field with utility companies when it comes to reselling electricity. (Source: NACS Magazine, January 2019)

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Retail Operations

Paying by Plastic at the Gas Pump
There is a lot of complexity behind the scenes related to payments at the pump. We’ll answer some common questions and clarify some misperceptions that consumers have related to payment cards and fueling.

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Why Gas Brands Are Different
The convenience store selling a specific fuel brand is often owned and operated by an independent operator.

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Convenience Stores Sell the Most Fuel
An estimated 80% of the fuel purchased in the United States occurs at a local convenience store.

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Disaster Response & Recovery

How Refineries and Pipelines Resume Operations
In the wake of an emergency or natural disaster, resuming operations at a refinery and pushing product through the pipeline is complex.

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What UST Owners Can Do After a Flood
EPA resources cite best practices for helping underground storage tank owners and operators safely bring UST systems back into service.

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When Mother Nature Strikes
Convenience stores do much more than sell daily essentials and an estimated 80% of the fuels purchased in the United States — they also play a critical role before and after a natural disaster like a hurricane strikes.

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Statistics and Historical Context

Fuel Retailing in Pictures
A look at some of the biggest moments in the history of convenience and fuel retailing.

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Key Facts About Fueling
Information about gasoline and oil demand, fuel supply, refining, distribution and retail operations.

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The History of Self-Fueling
A dozen or so customers probably didn't realize that what they were able to do at the pump one day in June 1964 would forever reshape fueling and impact other retail channels.

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The History of Fuel Retailing
The first purpose-built, drive-up gas station made its debut over 100 years ago which is one of many significant events and innovations that have shaped the fuels retailing industry.

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