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Spiking gasoline prices have hiked Americans’ monthly bills to fuel popular pickups and SUVs by hundreds of dollars, which is leading more consumers to kick the tires on electric vehicles.

ORLANDO, Fla. — With U.S. fuel prices rising at a record pace, achieving energy independence nationally would help the commercial transportation sector, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said March 7. 

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is restoring California’s authority to set its own tailpipe pollution standards for cars, reversing a Trump administration policy and likely ushering in stricter emissions standards for new passenger vehicles nationwide.

Governors from California to New York are proposing tax cuts, rebates and other forms of relief to drivers paying more than $4 a gallon to fill their gasoline tanks amid Russia’s war with Ukraine.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed sending money back to taxpayers to offset record-high gas prices but rejected calls to increase oil drilling, saying he wants to free the state “once and for all from the grasp of petro-dictators.”

SANTA MARIA, Calif. — A bid by Exxon Mobil to restart offshore oil wells shut down in 2015 after a pipeline leak caused the worst coastal spill in 25 years was rejected March 8 amid lingering environmental concerns.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Truck makers participating in the SuperTruck Initiative led by the U.S. Department of Energy said their progress on the second phase of the initiative ranged from improved efficiencies from aerodynamics to emissions to freight and more.

LONDON — Shell said March 8 that it will stop buying Russian oil after Ukrainian officials criticized the energy giant for buying a shipment of crude from Moscow and demanded that all multinational companies sever ties with Russia over the war.

Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk asked a judge to end the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s oversight of his Twitter posts under a 2018 agreement because he claims it is being used to “trample” his free speech rights.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced March 8 the U.S. will ban all Russian oil imports, toughening the toll on Russia’s economy in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine. But he acknowledged it will bring costs to Americans, particularly at the gas pump.