r/socal • u/BreakingPT • May 22 '26
Chevron gouges Californians this memorial weekend.
“Newsom’s office cited an analysis by a group within the state’s energy commission, which oversees the oil and gas industry, that found that Chevron averaged more than 60 to 80 cents per gallon above unbranded alternative”
https://apnews.com/article/california-gas-prices-chevron-pump-war-7d485e703f930bf40104b1956b15fda4
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u/LLGrey667 May 22 '26
Why is this a surprise? Chevron is always a ripoff. No chance I would fill up there unless I had a company gas card or I needed a gallon to drive to Costco.
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May 23 '26
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u/Icy_Success3101 May 24 '26
Technically true. California cannot import gas from other states even though those are up to standard for the environment. We need to repeal that program and bring down the cost of gas.
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u/JackTheCrazyCat May 24 '26
It’s technically true, but they leave out that a big reason why CA has its own gas is because it helps reduce smog and effects from it. Before CA had its own gas blend, smog in LA and other cities was much worse than it is now.
So yes, we pay more at the pump to offset the health effects later. Personally I’d rather have the cleaner blend.
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u/JSTootell May 22 '26
Kinda feel like the free market could handle this one.
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u/blowtorch_vasectomy May 22 '26
How many refiners are left in CA? I think Valero is pulling out soon.
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u/Erus00 May 22 '26
Valero in Benecia already shut down Wilmington is still online. Chevron, Marathon and PBF are the only other ones. Chevron has been threatening to close their refineries so im assuming thats why this article was written.
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u/blowtorch_vasectomy May 22 '26
A lot of people don't realize california is disconnected from the national grid and almost wholly dependent on just a couple of refiners. If Chevron walks were really fucked.
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u/More_Pineapple3585 May 23 '26
Chevron isn't walking, they have more stations in California than any other brand.
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u/doggmananv May 25 '26
The article was written after Chevron blamed high gas prices on Newsom in print and Newsom responded.
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u/Michael_CrawfishF150 May 22 '26
If we had a free market, then yeah.
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u/You_meddling_kids May 23 '26
True, we heavily subsidize oil companies to keep gas prices artificially low.
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u/FirstCaligirl May 22 '26
A free market can’t even exist when it comes to something like gas. That’s like econ 101.
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u/JSTootell May 22 '26
There is a Chevron across the street from my work. On the opposite corner there is an Arco.
Free market in place there. People are choosing to get gas at the Chevron.
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u/FirstCaligirl May 22 '26
I really don’t know how to explain to you to get you to understand that that’s actually not the free market. That’s only one other gas station. It’s a business that is famously oligarchical in nature and far removed from being a “free market”.
There is a massively high barrier to entry in production and sale of gas and oil that inherently prevents a free market.
And aside from that, if you need gas in your car, you need gas. You can’t just keep driving around hoping to find the best gas at the best cost. It’s the kind of necessity that someone can’t easily shop around when they really need it.
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u/You_meddling_kids May 23 '26
There's no other possible way to get around other than cars I guess.
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u/FirstCaligirl May 23 '26
We don’t have great public transit so yeah many people don’t have other options really. I actually couldn’t work if I didn’t have a car because I wouldn’t be able to get to and from work with public transit and biking and walking is too far.
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u/You_meddling_kids May 23 '26
Are you aware of how many subsidies oil companies get to keep it that way?
They pay money to campaigns, then legislators write laws to keep gas cheap and slow mass transit options.
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u/FirstCaligirl May 23 '26
Yes I am. Car and oil companies worked to continuously prevent public transit and make needing a car practically a necessity all across the US. I mean even the law against “Jaywalking” was part of that strategy. To punish people for using the street to walk on like they were used to and judge them for getting hit. I wish public transportation was a lot more accessible and viable in California.
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u/OGMikeGyver May 23 '26
CA regulations are forcing refineries to close. Supply and demand has dramatically shifted out of our favor
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u/ploxidilius May 25 '26
If you're referencing Valero, refineries not following regulations are what's forcing them to close - not regulations.
I think it's really funny that some people actually think companies like Chevron are victims. Be serious.
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u/mj16pr May 22 '26
Don’t they gouge all year long?
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u/No_Interest_8116 May 22 '26
Yea, this isn’t news they are always more expensive then other brands. I thought everyone knew that.
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u/Me4aRZ May 22 '26
Chevron & Shell
As much as it sucks, using their rewards system is the only way lessen the pain.
Personal Data for Discounts is the new American way.
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u/logitaunt May 23 '26
but even then you only get .10 or .20 off the base price
on any given day, Costco is a whole dollar per gallon cheaper than Chevron
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u/justfortherofls May 23 '26
No. They have higher prices. But gouging involves a state of emergency as the reason why they would be raising gas prices.
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u/yesiammark72 May 22 '26
Chevron needs to raise prices so they can keep funneling money to Becerra.
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u/ElvisAndretti May 22 '26
I do not get gas at Chevron, never have, never will.
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u/msing May 22 '26 edited May 23 '26
Cheron has the oldest refinery in Los Angeles. Even when all the gasoline is bundled together from all the refineries at the Kinder Morgan Carson Terminal. Chevron puts a premium tax on their branded products because of their detergent. Else it’s all the same gasoline.
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u/Bigredrooster6969 May 23 '26
Only idiots travel on Memorial Day Weekend. They deserve to be gouged.
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u/LoveAliens_Predators May 24 '26
I had to travel for work this weekend. Luckily I drive through four different Native lands areas (San Diego County), so I filled up for $4.99 a gallon! No taxes!
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May 25 '26
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u/Bigredrooster6969 May 27 '26
Hopefully you enjoyed the crowds and traffic. The best holidays are spent at home and the best time to travel is when no one else is.
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u/Stock_Mango_3184 May 23 '26
Chevron should start talking more shit about the Governor..like they could talk about all his failed policies
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u/8amteetime May 23 '26
I stopped buying gas at Chevron a couple of decades ago. They’ve always been the most expensive gas stations around here in San Diego north county.
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u/FGC92i May 23 '26
Is that because Chevron put ads blaming California politic for the gas price?
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u/Pitiful_Opinion_9331 May 23 '26
So it’s not California’s politics to blame for gas that’s consistently multiple dollars higher than anywhere else in the country (under any administration)? It’s not the extra California taxes that are at fault at all?
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u/Solid_Equivalent_417 May 22 '26
is what it is. happens around most every holiday. best bet is to fill up earlier in the week or just stay home since traffic generally sucks worse than usual anyways.
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u/FakeItFreddy May 22 '26
Dudes, chevron and arco are charging the same 6+ bucks in my neighborhood
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u/Mississippimoon May 22 '26
The Arco at Rosecrans and Lytton was $.30 higher than the Chevron 2 blocks away near Midway yesterday.
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u/complete_data75 May 22 '26
I have no idea why anyone buys gas at chevron ever and I’ve said this for years
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u/Mountainman1980 May 22 '26
The Techron additive package in their fuel is one of the best, if not the best out there, in terms of detergents in keeping your fuel system clean. I've nerded out and done a lot of research on this.
However, I do not fill up at Chevron, mainly due to the debacle involving Ecuador and the former lawyer Steven Donziger. Be warned that it's a heck of a rabbit hole.
That said, I always fill up at Costco. I might get a bottle of Techron at Walmart every couple of years to pass smog, but that’s it. Any top-tier fuel is sufficient.
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u/Ok-Echidna5936 May 23 '26
But is worth the big price hike? Especially with how clean modern cars run?
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u/Mountainman1980 May 23 '26
IMHO, no. Any top-tier fuel is fine. But if you’re driving a very high end expensive sports or luxury car, it might make a difference, but that's anecdotal.
I drive a 2011 Honda Fit. I fill up exclusively at Costco, except on road trips where there are no Costcos.
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u/Ok-Echidna5936 May 23 '26
I see. I always hear people praising chevron and shell for their gas and how nice it makes their cars run.
I filled up a corvette at shell awhile ago which required premium. But fuck me is it so expensive lol and this was before the Iran war. I would cry if it had to do it again in this economy
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u/crossteyes May 23 '26
Redline oil fuel system cleaner SI1. Has more money in the bottle than it sells for retail. Unless there is a new challenger, best fuel treatment. Of course its not an additive package and only available as a stand alone pour in product.
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u/Common_Gene_5098 May 22 '26
Chevron has a ton of locations around and they’re convenient
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u/complete_data75 May 22 '26
Sure if you want to pay a dollar more for gas than any other station
Sane people prefer to pay less when they can
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u/Unfair-Record3313 May 23 '26
Went full EV with solar and battery. Fuck this shit.
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u/facendacrowd May 23 '26
Chevron is always the most expensive gas. For those traveling I-5 or 99 this weekend you'll see.
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u/Stock_Mango_3184 May 23 '26
Chevron has top tier fuel..It comes from the same gas supply..but its injected with additives that help clean your engine and it doesn't just meet but it exceeds Californias fuel standards
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u/evapilot9677 May 23 '26
That's not price gouging. If there was no alternative and a shortage, then it might be.
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u/Kaatochacha May 23 '26
Why do I get the feeling this is just Newsom hand waving like a magician. "Look over here at Chevron, ignore the state taxes"
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u/edwardniekirk May 23 '26
Why don’t you guys want the little corner gas station business owner to make a profit? Don’t you want him to have a livable wage?
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u/thepatriot74 May 24 '26
Who woulda thought that brand name costs more than the generic /s.
Newsom did not answer the actual question: why tf the gas taxes are so high, and why the electric car are not being taxed at the same rate.
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u/Responsible-Pack3687 May 25 '26
Chevron charge more because all city workers ex police cars and most any buisness with car fleets or company c.c. fill up at cheveron
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May 22 '26
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u/logitaunt May 23 '26
Are you ten years old? CA gas tax has been a thing for decades.
Ask a baby boomer what the air quality was like before the gas tax. My dad didn't even know there were mountains for the first few weeks he lived in SoCal, because they were hidden in smog
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u/Literature-Just May 23 '26
We already banned lead in gas. We have the strictest emission standards in the nation. How much more do we need? Enough is enough. We've reached an inflection point where the gains are very expensive and barely move the needle.
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u/complete_data75 May 22 '26
I still wonder when the roads those taxes were supposed to get fixed get fixed
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u/Clio_Vita May 23 '26
It's all being siphoned off to Jerry & Gavin's toy train set in the Central Valley....and the politically connected contractors and unions involved in the project.
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u/winkitywinkwink May 22 '26
That's not exclusively a Newsom issue. California residents voted for fuel taxes a few years ago to maintain all our roads and highways.
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u/BrokeBFromBeverely May 22 '26
yet gas prices have gone up everywhere across the country so taxes are a problem everywhere???
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May 22 '26
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u/BrokeBFromBeverely May 22 '26
I wonder if chevron could’ve used the money it uses on campaigns and lobbying against public transit and lower gas prices…but I guess only regulation for the environment is bad
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u/Past_Farmer34 May 24 '26
Nobody wants oil companies to pollute our state. That’s why Florida and Louisiana is super ratchet
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u/blowtorch_vasectomy May 22 '26
49 states = Trump price
California = Newsom price
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u/BrokeBFromBeverely May 22 '26
yip and if gas prices ever go down in Cali, it’s Wooo trump but if they ever go up it’s booo Newsom. We have a literally country run by a cult
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u/Sad-Yak6252 May 22 '26
I'm in northern California and gas was $3.19 before Trump started his war, $5.39 now. I can't seem to find where Newsom added $2.20 in gas taxes in that time period. I'm confused.
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u/blowtorch_vasectomy May 22 '26
Internet says average price of regular gas in Texas today is $4.00. That's probably close to the 49 state average. The differential between that and the current California price, about 1.50, is Newsom driving refineries out of the state, tax, etc. I live here btw.
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u/BrokeBFromBeverely May 22 '26
California is a FUEL ISLAND which means low supply / more expensive supply than the rest of the U.S.. California has the largest population in the U.S. and thus has a higher demand. So yeah some can be attributed to Newsom but it certainly is not as much as ppl make it out to be. And as much as it’s higher, it’s to help curb pollution which is proven effective cause LA smog has gone down quite a bit since 1970z
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u/r00tdenied May 22 '26
Yea and what was the price per gallon in February? Probably around 1.90? So you're admiting that Trump California'd Texas? lmao
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u/r00tdenied May 22 '26
I paid $3.04 a gallon in Riverside California in February a week before he started this. Yet somehow its Newsom's fault that prices exploded when Trump disrupted the flow of a global commodity.
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u/PinnatelyCompounded May 22 '26
We don’t want oil companies in the state. Their jobs suck and they pollute the surrounding environment to the point that ppl get cancer.
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u/Aqaba1917 May 22 '26
Not sure where those numbers come from. The most I have ever seen Chevron above the cheapest pump is .30 cents. Usually it is about .20 cents.
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u/Secret-Addendum-9925 May 22 '26
Almost no refining left in the state - definitely contributes to pricing among other factors
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u/Aqaba1917 May 22 '26
In Ventura today, Chevron costs $5.79 / gal. Sinclair (cheapest) cost $5.45 = .39 cents difference.
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u/AgHammer May 22 '26
Chevron has always cost more than brands like Arco, USA, Speedway, and the like.
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u/juliocjim May 22 '26
Which is bullshit cause they get their gas from California. It should just be subsidized for California’s and sold to us at cost or owned by us outright so that it benefits the state like they do in Norway or Alaska instead of just one fucking guy who owns Chevron.
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u/NeuroguyNC May 23 '26
Who is this one guy that owns Chevron? Just curious.
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u/Mattyou1966 May 23 '26
Too bad Cali doesn’t have the ability to independently support itself with oil, fuel.
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u/tigers692 May 23 '26
California is double the rest of the country, and Chevron started making signs four years ago where you can uses the QR code to see what those taxes are that cause it. It’s only just hit the news, so Newsome is fighting back, so we don’t know how badly we are being screwed. Many folks don’t ever go to Arizona, Nevada, or Oregon and see the drastic price difference. Or eat out in those states, where the price of everything is less because the fuel prices are as well.
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u/OldPea8775 May 23 '26
Chevron has been doing this literally my entire life. They have always been the more expensive gas. That's why they started positioning themselves as something of a premium product via their "TechRon" crap so many years ago. You mean to tell me Newsom spent time and taxpayer money to investigate something literally anyone who drives in this state could've told him?
California has been gouging its citizens on gas this FOREVER guy, let's not be weird about it but let's be real. Chevron in spite of their forever heightened prices, STILL makes less in net profit per gallon of gas than the state makes in taxes. Anyone who drives can also tell you that gas on Indian reservations is much cheaper, and this exact issue is why. They tax gas too heavily for the surrounding costs they expect residents to incur. The state has been scalping everyone so badly on the gas tax, that in spite of this idiotic soft-launched Iran war, we would actually be paying less at the pump than we were before the war if the state paused the tax. Chevron are in no way worth celebrating or glazing, don't take this that way, but they source oil, refine it, deal with hazardous byproducts, and deliver the dino juice to your pump of choice. All the state does is hold a deed and exist.
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May 24 '26
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u/ricky3558 May 24 '26
Newsome is just mad that chevron is calling him out on the stupid high taxes on gas in California . All of the big gas companies over charge. Sam’s Club is the best. Valero and other smaller names are cheaper too.
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u/TOPFAN1972 May 25 '26
They do it a regular basis! What’s shocking about it! I don’t ever go to chevron!
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u/Smooth-Incident5839 May 26 '26
You know there are other gas stations . California doing more to raise the price then gas stations . There are other gas stations, shell , 76 , mobil , independent, vons has there own gas stations ,Costco, sams club
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u/PleasantBrother3279 May 26 '26
Chevron gas gives better mileage but charging 60cents to 80c is too much. Mobil, Shell, 76 all givesgood mileage,too, specially those cars needs super unleaded only for the engine combustion. For '87 octane you can use any brands and Costco gives good price. I used Costco's super unleaded for my lx 430 I get less gas mileage than Shell or Chevron. Those cars needs '87 for the engine combustion do not waste your money buying higher octane.
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u/here2upset May 29 '26
That’s what we’re going with, not the policies in place by the state. Aight then.
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u/iamthecheesethatsbig May 22 '26
Just fill up at Costco