California Gov’s Gas Rebate Includes Millionaire Gas Guzzler Owners

This week, California Governor Newsom announced that he has a plan to pay every owner of a gasoline-powered car up to $400 in gasoline cost relief. If you have two gas guzzlers, heck, the state will give you $800!

Related Story:States Begin To Suspend Gas Tax To Curb High Fuel Costs

California has one of the highest gasoline prices of any U.S. state and second-highest state sales gas taxes. This is not an accident. California is a place where electric vehicles are mandated and automakers need to meet quotas in order to do business in the state. California throws money at EV owners, but not all owners. High earners need not apply.

Unlike the EV subsidy and rebate plan in the state, this proposal by its governor does not exclude the (despicable? overprivileged?) hard-working successful folks who still reside in the state. The Governor’s proposal does not have an income cap. Even those with high incomes, heck billionaires with gas-guzzling supercars, can have relief from the high prices for fossil fuels in California if the Governor’s proposal is successful.

“We’re taking immediate action to get money directly into the pockets of Californians who are facing higher gas prices as a direct result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” said Governor Newsom. “But this package is also focused on protecting people from volatile gas prices...”

We’re proposing $9 billion in tax refunds to address rising gas prices -- $400 per registered vehicle, up to 2 per person. We’re also proposing grants so public transit can be free for 3 months.We know Californians are paying at the pump & with this refund, millions get $ back. pic.twitter.com/fNZOT3ds4S— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 23, 2022

Governor Newsome took to Twitter to announce his plan. In his video clip standing in front of what appears to be a parking garage, he says that this relief will help address an issue that “...we are all struggling to address…” the issue of gas prices. Are all Californians really struggling with high gas prices? Even electric vehicle owners? If so, why not simply reduce this unfair burden by lowering the state’s punitive gas tax?

The Governor also explains in his Twitter post that the state is offering free public transportation and giving away another $11 billion in free money to its residents.

You can read the plan the Governor plans to send to the state legislature here.

Tell us in the comments below how you feel about a program to provide gasoline price relief to gas vehicle owners, regardless of their social score.

Image of money by John Goreham.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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