(The Center Square) – Average prices statewide for a gallon of unleaded gasoline have climbed a nickel in the past week, a North Carolina analysis by the American Automobile Association says.
The rate of $2.84 remains 32 cents less than the national average ($3.16). North Carolinians a week earlier were paying $2.79, same as a month ago. A year ago, the average was $3.25.
At the turn of the calendar new year, the statewide average was $2.86, and the national average was $3.04.
The price for diesel is $3.50, marginally different than a week ($3.46) and month ($3.53) ago. A year ago, it was $3.96.
North Carolina’s electric vehicle charging rate average, according to AAA, is 33.8 cents per kilowatt hour. Seventeen states are lower. The national average is 34.2 cents per kwh.
North Carolina has more than 8 million combustion engine vehicles registered and just more than 100,000 zero emission vehicle registrations.
Among 14 major metro areas, the least expensive average for unleaded gas is in Goldsboro at $2.70. Most expensive is the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area ($2.92).
Diesel is the most consumer-friendly ($3.39) in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton.
North Carolina’s 40.3 cents per gallon tax rate for 2025 is topped by California (59.6), Pennsylvania (57.6), Washington (49.4), Illinois (47), Maryland (46.1), and New Jersey (44.9).
The motor fuel excise tax rate in the state is the amount for the preceding calendar year (40.4), multiplied by a percentage. The percentage is plus or minus the sum of the annual percentage change in state population for the applicable calendar year, multiplied by 75% and the annual energy index percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, multiplied by 25%, the state Department of Transportation explains on its website.
Motor fuel taxes in the state go to the Department of Transportation’s highway and multi-modal projects, adding up to just more than half of the state transportation resources. Specifically, the revenues go into the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund.
