The Georgia gas tax suspension, implemented to help state motorists cope with higher inflation, expired at the end of November.
Gov. Brian Kemp’s suspension of the state’s gasoline tax ended on Nov. 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m., raising fuel prices by 31.2 cents per gallon for gasoline and 35 cents per gallon for diesel.
Kemp first signed an executive order to temporarily suspend the gas tax across Georgia on Sept. 13, 2023 and renewed the exemption on Oct. 6, 2023, when he called the high prices a state of emergency. The suspension brought the price down to an average of $2.82 per gallon in the metro Atlanta area, 42 cents below the national average, according to AAA.
Some consumers, such as Javier Martinez, were unaware of the suspension and did not have strong opinions about it one way or another. Regardless of whether the tax suspension is extended, he still needs to drive to work and purchase gas.
“We have no choice; we still have to drive,” Martinez said.
He switched from a truck with a gasoline-powered engine to one with a diesel-powered engine to cut fuel spending costs. His GMC Sierra has given him better miles per gallon.
The suspension aided Brendan Kapcsos, 23, in his commute to and from work as well as on family trips. He believes the suspension helped more than most people realize and said he is concerned about what it could mean for his monthly and annual budget.
Gov. Kemp has not announced any plans to issue another suspension in December for the holidays.
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