The dealers increased prices to more than $8 a gallon Wednesday to raise consumer awareness about what they say are LukoilÂ's unfair wholesale prices.
They say they've been put at a competitive disadvantage. Lukoil says the complaints appear directed at "zone pricing," or varying prices charged to dealers based on what is happening in local marketplaces.
The company says itÂ's a "commercially reasonable" practice in compliance with state law.
Lukoil accuses the New Jersey gas station association of encouraging "public misstatements and ill-conceived actions" that harm consumers.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)