Governor Newsom publicly urged drivers to avoid Chevron stations over Memorial Day weekend, accusing the company of overcharging consumers by promoting branded fuel at a significant premium. Chevron responded that its customer education campaign highlights the role of state policies and taxes in overall price formation.

A state energy commission analysis found that Chevron’s branded gasoline averaged 60–80 cents per gallon more than unbranded alternatives, despite identical quality standards. California’s average price climbed to $6.14 per gallon, driven in part by a 70 cents per gallon state tax, the highest in the nation.

Chevron’s signage blaming state climate policies for high prices contrasts with government efforts to penalize excess oil company profits and mandate fuel reserves. The dispute raises questions about future regulatory measures, consumer buying patterns, and margin pressures in California’s largest gasoline market.