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.

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