WASHINGTON, DC —To help ease pain at the pump for consumers in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Passport Auto Group dealerships (www.passportauto.com) surprised hundreds of drivers this week by filling their tanks with free gas. The one-day event, on March 29th, took place at a Mobil station in Alexandria, Virginia and a Shell and Citgo station, both located in Camp Springs, Maryland.
"For those already struggling to make ends meet, a gas tank can be the difference between going to work and getting that next paycheck to put food on the table," said Everett Hellmuth, President of Passport Auto Group. "As an integral part of this community, we are glad to be able to extend a hand to our friends and neighbors."
Over the sunny but very chilly day, staff from nearby Passport dealerships operated the pumps and filled the tanks of more than 340 cars. The company, which operates nine dealerships throughout Maryland and The Commonwealth of Virginia, estimates giving away about $16,000 worth of fuel.
One driver at the Mobil station in Alexandria said, "it's an auspicious day. Any day is lucky when you get free gas. Unexpected."
According to the American Automobile Association, the average cost of gas in the United States hit a record high at $4.33 per gallon. The price of gasoline in the DMV area has remained near that level, with prices in D.C. itself at $4.43 per gallon. As a result, the burden of a typical gasoline purchase nearly doubled from 2.1% of disposable income in 2020 to 3.9% in March.
Drivers can do their part to save money at the pump by adopting several strategies from making sure tires are correctly inflated, driving the speed limit and gliding into and out of stops. In addition, gas apps can realize savings of up to $0.20 per gallon, and gas rewards credit cards pay back anywhere from 6-8% on gas purchases.
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