Breitbart’s economics editor John Carney laid out a stinging case on “The Alex Marlow Show” that California’s energy policies are deliberately driving gas prices higher — not out of necessity, but as a tool to force residents into electric vehicles.

Carney pointed to a toxic mix of heavy regulations on oil refining, high state gas taxes, and opposition to pipelines as the root causes of California’s persistently high prices at the pump. But, he added, these policies don’t happen by accident. “I don’t think it’s accidental. I think they want gasoline to be super-expensive in California, because it forces people to consider electric vehicles,” he said.

California consistently has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, with drivers often paying more than $2 per gallon above the national average. While state officials blame market fluctuations and supply chain issues, critics argue that the price gap is largely the result of intentional policy choices that make gasoline harder and more expensive to refine and distribute.

The strategy, Carney argues, is part of California’s aggressive push toward its ambitious climate agenda. The state has pledged to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, while rolling out subsidies and incentives for EV adoption. Forcing residents to feel financial pain at the pump, Carney suggested, is simply a way to accelerate that transition — whether Californians want it or not.

The high costs have sparked outrage among working-class families who say they are being punished for policies designed to cater to wealthy elites. While many Californians struggle with soaring costs of living, EVs remain out of reach for a large portion of the population, both in terms of sticker price and infrastructure availability.

Meanwhile, environmental advocates claim the state’s approach is necessary to combat climate change, even if it comes at the expense of drivers. But opponents counter that the policy amounts to government-engineered coercion that undermines consumer choice and burdens families already living paycheck to paycheck.

The debate highlights a broader divide in American energy policy: whether government should nudge — or shove — citizens toward “green” alternatives, even at the cost of affordability. California’s experiment may offer the most aggressive example yet of how far a state can go to transform consumer behavior through economic pain.

Carney’s warning suggests that the high gas prices many Californians view as an unavoidable burden are, in fact, part of a carefully engineered system. If true, it means residents aren’t just paying more at the pump — they’re footing the bill for a political agenda that puts ideology ahead of practicality.

And as the state doubles down on its environmental mandates, the question remains: will Californians push back against what critics call financial punishment disguised as policy, or will they be forced to adapt to Sacramento’s vision of a car-free future?