June 17, 2008 · Wearing his olive green uniform overalls with a large Pemex logo stitched into the back Juan Cárdenas is hustling.
He has worked at a Pemex gas station in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, for the last three years. And he says he’s busy. Cárdenas likes his job, but the worst thing about it is, “The weather That’s the only thing,” he says with a laugh.
On this June Saturday afternoon, the weather is hot — 102 degrees — and Cárdenas is not getting a chance to cool off in the air conditioned office. There is a non-ending line of cars, trucks and SUVs that need to be gassed up.
And many of these vehicles are from across the border.
“Right now 10 percent of the people here – they’re from the United States,” he estimates.
Cárdenas says these motorists are here for a bargain, because while gas has hit a record high north of the border, in Mexico, gas is still cheap.
Laredo, Texas, a gallon of regular was $3.95, but just across the river it’s over a dollar cheaper at $2.73 a gallon.
And for many Laredo, Texas, residents like Elsa Campos that makes tanking up her Ford F-150 in Mexico a no-brainer.
“With 20 dollars I have in my truck, I can get half a full tank – I can have – but 20 dollars there I have a quarter,” she said.
Even while Elsa’s big truck is gassed up, the engine is still running and the air conditioner is at full blast.
Campos drove up to the PEMEX station with her fuel gauge on empty because she said she needs to make the most of her trip into Nuevo Laredo while she visits family.
“My husband has family here, so I have to come anyway, so I go ahead and fill the gas here,” Campos said.
Consumers in Mexico can buy cheaper gas because the price is set and subsidized by the government.
Pemex, the Mexican petroleum company, is a state owned monopoly which controls the flow of oil from pumping it out of the ground to pumping it into gas tanks.
Juan Rivera, who lives and works in Laredo, Texas, but speaks limited English, said he comes to Nuevo Laredo to gas up even though the quality of the Mexican fuel isn’t as good.
“The quality of the gasoline is better in the United States in terms of the octane which is much higher and gives better mileage, the car won’t stall, but right now since the prices are so high, people come here looking for a better deal, right? So that is why they come here looking for lower gas prices,” Rivera said.
To deal with the low quality of Mexican gas Rivera also adds STP, a fuel additive, to his tank.
The loss is quality is just one extra cost of gassing up in Mexico. There is also the bridge fees — $5.25. And if time is money, then crossing the bridge can be even more expensive.
Driving across the bridge into Mexico is a breeze, but because of U.S. border inspections, it takes at least an hour to cross back.
And then there is the question about the violence. With stories of a drug cartel war and international kidnappings on the border is it worth it to risk your life to save a few bucks on gas?
Gas station attendant Cárdenas scoffs at the notion that Nuevo Laredo is that much more dangerous than most cities in the U.S. Unless you are in the drug trade.
“Its not dangerous – it’s dangerous for the people who are dangerous,” he said with another laugh.
With that Cárdenas goes back to pumping gas – not only is the fuel cheaper in Mexico but you also get full service – he squeegees the windshield and will check your oil. For that Cárdenas expects a tip.
And with his extra American customers coming across he’s making close to one hundred dollars a day.
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