A class action filed in federal court in California alleges Walmart, 7-Eleven, Albertsons and BP used Kalibrate’s AI fuel pricing tool to coordinate higher gasoline prices. The complaint cites California’s high pump prices and claims the AI-driven system incre
Gas prices have been climbing so fast that drivers in California say the commute itself can feel like a financial hit. On Tuesday, regular gasoline averaged $5.56 per gallon in California, compared with a national average of $3.92, according to AAA. And the lawsuit filed this week argues that the pain at the pump wasn’t just market pressure—it was allegedly engineered.
The class action lawsuit, brought on behalf of California drivers, targets BP, 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Albertsons, among others. It claims the businesses violated California’s Cartwright Act antitrust law and Assembly Bill 325, a state law that prohibits algorithmic price fixing.
According to the federal complaint, the retailers and operators together run over 1,700 gas stations. The case was filed in federal court in the Golden State’s capital on Monday.
At the center of the allegations is Kalibrate’s AI fuel pricing tool. The complaint says the companies use the tool to set fuel prices. and that it relies on data at the pumps to “coordinate high prices and wring more money from the pockets of consumers.” Reuters reported that the lawsuit claims Kalibrate’s pricing increased gas prices by as much as 30 cents a gallon. pushing prices to as much as $7 a gallon. The suit further alleges a total spike of $134 million a year.
The complaint describes a grim picture for drivers: “While families struggle to afford the commute to work. defendants have conspired to put an end to competition. joining an AI-powered trust to ensure that no matter where a driver turns. the price for gasoline is artificially high. ” Reuters reported.
Walmart denies the claims. “We are reviewing the complaint and will respond appropriately to the Court,” a Walmart spokesperson said in an email statement.
Kalibrate, along with BP, Albertsons, and 7-Eleven, did not provide comments in the material available at the time of writing, after Fast Company reached out for input.
The timing of California’s already-high prices is part of what makes the allegations land. With the national average and AAA data pointing to steep increases. the lawsuit’s core claim is that competition at the pump is being replaced by coordination through pricing algorithms—an accusation that. if it holds up. would reshape how regulators and consumers look at how fuel prices get set.
Walmart 7-Eleven Albertsons BP Kalibrate AI fuel pricing gas prices California Cartwright Act Assembly Bill 325 algorithmic price fixing antitrust lawsuit class action
So they used AI to raise gas prices? Sounds like the same thing as when my tank goes up like $10 overnight for no reason.
I don’t even know if AI is the real culprit. Gas always goes up when demand spikes, and they’re blaming some tool. $7 a gallon sounds wild though.
Wait so Walmart is like controlling BP and 7-Eleven prices with an algorithm? That seems kinda impossible, like how would one company even access their systems? Unless they mean the app was just predicting stuff.
California is already getting robbed by pump prices and now it’s “AI-led”?? My commute feels like a scam, not a market. They say it increased 30 cents but then $134 million a year like… math seems off unless they’re counting something crazy. Also Cartwright Act?? AB 325?? Feels like lawsuits will take forever anyway.