The White House announced the opening of the first Freedom Fuel gas stations in Upper Dublin Township, with a Dresher site selling gasoline for $3.47 a gallon. The rollout gives Philadelphia-area drivers a new option, but questions remain about how the network is pricing fuel below nearby competitors.
At the Dresher station, Jessiah Brice said the location worked for her because it is near her job. She said, “Gas should be cheaper.” and added, “My only issue is: How is it $3.47 here and $5 by me?”
Upper Dublin Township and Dresher
The White House said the station opened at a former Sunoco station. It also said an undated video showed drivers filling their tanks for $3.47 a gallon and used the phrase “our 47th President” in that video. The same station sits near McDonald’s and across the street from a shopping plaza.
Tuesday afternoon prices at the site showed regular gas at $3.47 a gallon. Nearby, a Citgo station listed regular gas at $3.79 a gallon, and a Gulf station listed it at $3.85 a gallon. Seyer Hamidi said, “Gas is going to be high whether you’re a Republican or Democrat.”
Freedom Fuel Network website
A White House spokesperson said a Freedom Fuel Network website listing 25 locations across the Philadelphia region and South Jersey was accurate. The spokesperson also said the network is a private company and not a government program, that the company is not purchasing gasoline at a discount, and that the administration has not provided funding.
The White House did not confirm that all 25 locations were open, and the company behind the Freedom Fuel Network did not respond to a request for comment. For drivers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the lower price is real at the Dresher station, but the business model behind it has not been explained.
After the July Fourth
After the July Fourth holiday, Jessiah Brice noticed the new branding at the station. She was already using the site because of the location, and the price difference made it stand out even more.
