Gavin Newsom Takes Aim at Chevron and Small Biz, Urges Drivers to Skip Gas Stations

Gov. Gavin Newsom is throwing down the gauntlet against Chevron and small business owners, urging drivers to steer clear of California gas stations this Memorial Day weekend.

In a bold move, Newsom’s office advised holiday travelers to “AVOID Chevron” as gas prices in the state hit astronomical levels.

His Thursday social media post slammed the oil giant, claiming their “branded” fuel costs consumers more than “unbranded” options.

He even shared a map pinpointing two gas stations—one in Sacramento County and another in Solano County—operated by small business owners, which Chevron quickly defended.

“Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines,” Newsom declared, aiming to debunk the myth that brand names guarantee quality.

“It meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean, even if it doesn’t have a fancy name like ‘Techron,’” he continued, taking a jab at the marketing tactics of big oil.

Newsom’s post also accused Big Oil of profiting off geopolitical tensions, stating, “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.”

Chevron spokesperson Ross Allen responded, expressing disappointment over Newsom’s comments. “Chevron is aware of the tweet and believes it is an unfortunate attack on two small businesses in the state,” he said.

“Most Chevron stations are independently owned and operated, and in many cases, including this, are run by small business owners,” Allen added, defending the integrity of local operators.

A 2024 report revealed that branded gasoline from major players like Chevron, 76, and Valero costs about $0.30 more per gallon than unbranded fuel.

This clash escalated after signs at Chevron pumps began blaming Democrats for California's record-high gas prices. “Sacramento policies did this. Now you pay more,” read the signs, which featured a blue SUV tangled in a gas hose for dramatic effect.

Allen previously stated that the sign campaign aimed to “educate consumers about how politicians are picking their pockets.”

“These environmental fees, taxes, and regulations might be small individually, but cumulatively they are making the cost of living in California much more expensive. These are policy choices; it doesn’t have to be like this,” he argued.

The national average for gas hit $4.564 on Thursday, according to AAA, while California's average soared to $6.143 per gallon.

As holiday travelers flood the roads, they face a staggering $1.38 increase per gallon compared to last year, according to AAA statistics.

California has seen several major oil refineries close or begin shutting down in recent years, further driving up prices. Lawmakers and experts warn that Newsom’s green agenda could push prices above $8 per gallon.

Drivers in the Golden State are burdened with a “California premium,” which includes higher-than-average state excise and sales taxes along with hefty fees for climate initiatives unique to the state.