RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina motorists are getting a break at the pump. The General Assembly has voted to temporarily drop the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax to zero through November 30.
The measure, sent to Governor Josh Stein’s desk following Wednesday’s special session, aims to ease financial strain for commuters and commercial drivers as fuel prices remain elevated.
Eliminating the 41-cent excise tax cuts roughly $6.15 off a 15-gallon fill-up and about $8.20 off a 20-gallon tank, provided retailers pass the total reduction along.
In addition to passenger vehicle relief, the package waives highway penalties for farmers operating agricultural equipment using dyed diesel through December 31, 2026.
To prevent shortfalls for active road construction and maintenance, lawmakers are tapping state surplus reserves, specifically the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve to hold NCDOT departmental funding harmless during the pause.
Furthermore, the legislation ensures that this temporary zero-rate period will not factor into the mathematical formula used to calculate North Carolina’s motor fuel tax rate for 2027.
The suspension takes effect the day after it is signed into law and runs through November 30.
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