Advertisement

'Hot fuel' suits become class actions

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 3 (UPI) -- U.S. drivers are cheated by gas stations selling "hot fuel" that has expanded when temperatures rise, lawsuits against several companies allege.

A federal judge in Kansas City, Mo., has granted class-action status to two suits, The Kansas City Star reported Thursday. The named defendants include BP, Casey's General Stores, Chevron, Circle K, Citgo, ConocoPhillips, 7-Eleven, Shell Oil, Valero, Kum & Go, QuikTrip and Walmart.

Advertisement

Gas is supposed to be at 60 degrees at the pump. The plaintiffs say some retailers hold it at a higher temperature, where gas expands, so a gallon provides less energy.

In an investigative series in 2006, the Star reported hot fuel might cost consumers as much as $2.3 billion a year.

Other lawsuits have been filed across the country, but the two in Kansas City are the first to become class actions. Lawyers for the plaintiffs said U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil's order could signal the beginning of settlement negotiations.

Latest Headlines