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Diesel tax suspensions cut fuel costs in 3 states
Georgia, North Carolina tax holidays end Nov. 30; Ohio’s runs through Jan. 2
Diesel prices have skyrocketed in 2026. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)
Key Takeaways:
- Georgia extended its motor fuel tax suspension through Nov. 30, temporarily eliminating its 37.3-cents-per-gallon diesel levy.
- North Carolina suspended its 41-cents-per-gallon motor fuel tax, while Ohio cut diesel and gasoline taxes to $0.0001 per gallon.
- Georgia and North Carolina’s suspensions expire Nov. 30, while Ohio’s tax holiday runs through Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Truckers will benefit from extended diesel tax suspensions in Georgia, while temporary motor fuel tax holidays remain in effect in Ohio and North Carolina.
The tax suspensions temporarily waive or nearly eliminate state levies that normally add as much as 47 cents per gallon to diesel prices.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lengthened the pause on motor fuel taxes through Nov. 30 due to an extended state emergency. Motorists continue to experience higher prices at the pump and heavier seasonal travel for agricultural harvests and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Georgia’s current motor fuel excise tax is 37.3 cents per gallon for diesel and 33.3 cents a gallon for gas, according to the governor’s office.
Eligible motor fuels for the temporary tax suspension include clear diesel, gasoline, aviation gasoline, liquid propane gas, gasohol, ethanol, liquefied natural gas and compressed natural gas.
North Carolina, Ohio tax holidays
Also expiring Nov. 30 is a temporary motor fuel tax holiday in North Carolina ordered by Gov. Josh Stein.
He enacted a law Oct. 9 temporarily stopping the state from collecting its 41-cent-per-gallon tax on gas and fuel to provide economic relief to drivers paying high prices at the pump.
The current motor fuel excise tax is zero cents, without changes to sales, use or inspection taxes, according to state Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
“The suspension of the motor fuel excise tax applies to all motor fuels and alternative fuels subject to the North Carolina motor fuel excise tax,” noted the state Department of Revenue.
Meanwhile, Ohio’s motor fuel tax holiday lasts longer, through Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.
An emergency directive issued by Gov. Mike DeWine lowers diesel and gasoline taxes to $0.0001 per gallon until then. The standard tax rates are 47 cents per gallon for diesel and 38.5 cents for gasoline.
“Fuel retailers are legally required under Ohio law to pass the entire tax savings directly to consumers at the pump,” advised the Ohio Department of Taxation.
