The North Carolina House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve a state gas tax holiday to help reduce costs for drivers across the state. The bill will now move to the state Senate for approval.
House Bill 3, the "Relief at the Pump Act," aims to suspend the state's gas tax through Nov. 30 and use state reserves to keep highway and road projects funded. The bill also eases some restrictions on dyed diesel for farmers, allowing them to use dyed diesel in highway vehicles for agricultural purposes without any penalties.
GAS PRICES IN ASHEVILLE AREA SURGE, AVERAGING $4.10 PER GALLON: GASBUDDY
During a morning news conference, Republican lawmakers said they're taking action after hearing from families and small businesses.
"We are here today to answer that call and to move forward with a bill that creates a temporary suspension of the state’s 41-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax," state Senate President Phil Berger said.
North Carolina's average price for a gallon of regular gas is $4.12 as of Oct. 7, 2026, according to AAA.
An Oct. 5 GasBuddy report put Asheville's average gas price at $4.08 per gallon, down 9 cents from a week earlier but still the highest for this time of year in the past five years.
Other states, like Ohio and Georgia, have opted to temporarily cut state gas taxes to help ease costs for consumers.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.
