Why N.J. Wants Full Service Gasoline Stations


Yesterday, New Jersey proclaimed that it was lifting the ban on self-service gasoline stations. Then, continuing, “We encourage New Jerseyans to familiarize themselves with gas pumps as this change is in effect immediately, April 1, 2026.”

April Fools!!

At first panicking and then realizing it was an April Fools prank, I was relieved. Like many of my neighbors, we like pulling up to a gas tank and just asking the attendant to fill it up.

Full Service Gasoline Stations

Shaded red, New Jersey is the only full service state for dispensing gasoline. Until 2023, Oregon was also a full service state but then they lifted the ban. Still, shown by the blue sections of the map, there was some full service:

full service gasoline stations

In addition, the city of Huntington, New York is a full service gas stop in the middle of a self-service state.

Gasoline Prices

For the past 75 years, we in New Jersey have been prohibited from pumping our own gasoline. Dating back to 1949 when gas sold for 21.9 cents a gallon, the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act was said to have protected the consumer. Really though, it was about preventing a station owner from charging 18.9 cents after asking drivers to pump their own gas. Responding, the legislature passed the 1949 law.

I and many other New Jerseyites like our law. Some though suggest the result is a higher price.

So let’s take a look.

Gasoline Price Components

The price of crude represents close to half (below) of the total we pay for a gallon of gas. Consequently, we can ask if self-serve can have a consequential impact:

Full service gasoline stations

Gasoline Prices

In addition, New Jersey’s prices are not among the highest. Yes, Gulf states like Texas pay less than states along the mid-Atlantic Coast. But for all of us, prices are skyrocketing.  In just one month, at $2.98 on February 26th, they have gone up by more than $1:

full service gasoline stations

Gasoline Taxes

At 70.9 cents per gallon, California remains the U.S. high for state gasoline fees and taxes while Alaska’s 8.95 cents is the low. As for New Jersey, it is #8 with 44.95 cents in taxes and fees. (There is also an 18.3 cents per gallon federal gas tax.)

You can see below how state gasoline tax rates tend to cluster. The Gulf states charge us the least:

gasoline taxes

Our Bottom Line: Tradeoffs

In 1960, New Jersey’s full service was the nationwide norm as just 8% of all stations offered self-service. However, by 1992, most U.S. gas stations switched. With New Jersey the holdout, we can ask the cost (defined as the sacrificed alternative) and benefit.

The cost of full service stations first takes us to price. One researcher, looking at Oregon’s gas prices with a self-service ban and then without one, saw prices fall by an average of 4.4 cents a gallon. Some also suggest that New Jersey gasoline stations face worker shortages with few willing to accept minimum wage. And finally, advocates say we sacrifice convenience and speed with full service.

But, as former NJ Governor Phil Murphy explained, self-service would be political suicide. A 2022 Rutgers poll indicated that almost 75% of NJ residents wanted to retain full service.

I guess the tradeoffs don’t matter. Like me, we want full service.

My sources and more: For starters, we needed to see the pro/con debate here and here. Then, From there, we returned to some NJ self service history and comparing prices through the numbers at EIA and the Tax Foundation.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, we promise.

Recent Reviews







We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





Source link