California is about to smell a little more like winter at the pump, and not because of the calendar. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) says the state will allow the sale of winter-blend gasoline earlier than usual, a workaround aimed at easing fuel prices that keep climbing thanks to the energy shock from the Iran war.

Newsom Slams Trump's Reckless War

In a post on X on Monday, Newsom went straight at President Donald Trump, saying his "reckless Iran war" has cost Americans over $120 billion in extra fuel costs in "just 7 months." The war kicked off in February this year, when a joint U.S.-Israeli operation killed Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"With no end to the war in sight, I'm suspending California's seasonal summer-blend gas requirement and directing state agencies to allow winter-blend gas to be sold immediately," Newsom said. "This will help lower costs and deliver relief to drivers, businesses, and communities across the state."

This isn't California freelancing on fuel chemistry. In August, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was issuing an emergency fuel waiver that would allow the sale of winter-blend gasoline earlier than prescribed to bring gas prices down.

The difference between summer and winter blends comes down to volatility, measured by Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). Winter gasoline can carry a higher RVP, which lets it vaporize more readily in colder temperatures. Summer blend is formulated to stay stable when it's hot, which is why it costs more to make.

The stakes here are not abstract. According to American Automobile Association (AAA) data, the national average price of gas on Monday was $4.4768 per gallon. California, as usual, was living in its own pricing universe: the average price of gas in the state sat at $6.3650 per gallon. Diesel was even uglier, with stations charging $8.3999 per gallon on average in California on Monday.

Newsom Slams Fuel Economy Rollback

The gas move wasn't Newsom's only swipe at the White House this week. Over the weekend, he criticized Trump's decision to roll back former President Joe Biden-era fuel economy standards, arguing the timing was brutal with gas prices surging. He also said the rollback would increase pollution and hand a win to oil producers.

Trump, for his part, framed the rollback as a victory for the domestic auto industry, saying it ends the EV mandate imposed by Biden and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

So where does that leave drivers? California is effectively trading a seasonal rule for a little near-term relief, while the broader fight over war costs, fuel standards, and who pays for it all keeps running. The winter blend is coming early. The argument, as always, is right on schedule.