Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Is White House Considering Fuel Tax Increase for Infrastructure?

Published reports indicate that the Trump administration may be willing to push for a hike in the fuel tax to help pay for the president's promised $1 trillion in infrastructure investments.

Deborah Lockridge
Deborah LockridgeEditor and Associate Publisher
Read Deborah's Posts
October 26, 2017
Is White House Considering Fuel Tax Increase for Infrastructure?

Photo: Jim Park

2 min to read


Photo: Jim Park

Published reports indicate that the Trump administration may be willing to push for a hike in the fuel tax to help pay for the president's promised $1 trillion in infrastructure investments.

President Trump’s economic adviser Gary Cohn told moderate House lawmakers at a private meeting on Wednesday that they'll get a chance to vote on a gas tax hike early next year as part of an infrastructure bill, according to two lawmakers who were present, reports The Hill.

Ad Loading...

The meeting was with the Problem Solvers Caucus, U.S. Representative Tom Reed, a New York Republican who is co-chairman of the caucus, told Bloomberg.

The fuel tax hasn’t been increased since 1993, and revenue from the federal per-gallon taxes of 18.4 cents on gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel has declined as vehicles have gotten more fuel efficient. But despite the fact that infrastructure improvement as a general concept seems to have bipartisan support, proposals to raise the fuel tax have faced stiff opposition from congressional Republicans and others loath to raise taxes.

Bloomberg asked House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady about the possibility. “Hm. I’m going to stay focused on tax reform right now,” he said.

Proponents, however, point out that it’s really a user fee rather than a tax.

A survey of 800 registered voters in June showed Americans increasingly view the condition of the nation’s transportation infrastructure as a problem and believe it should be a spending priority, said pollster Neil Newhouse, who authored the survey, to an audience at American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition this week. “In September 2014, 61% of Americans opposed this,” Newhouse said. “Now it’s 55% in favor. There is a reason for optimism.”

Ad Loading...

Earlier this year, President Trump said he was open to the idea in an interview, but the White House press office quickly walked that back.

At the ATA conference, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), said, “We need to be serious” about infrastructure. “The infrastructure paralysis, in terms of funding you’ve seen, is a bipartisan problem.”

The infrastructure plan is reportedly on hold until tax reform is addressed on Capitol Hill. The Trump White House intends to unveil a long-term infrastructure funding plan after Congress completes tax reform, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao told an audience at ATA on Oct. 23.

More Fuel

An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail on fuel volatility.
FuelJune 30, 2026

Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: "Don't Panic, Have a Plan."

When it comes to up and down fuel prices, Adamsky has a message for fleets: “Don’t panic.”

Read More →
A blue, orange, and black graphic with Chris Brown and Ramel Lindsay.
Sponsoredby Chris BrownJune 29, 2026

How Fleets Can Gain Control of Non-Fuel Spend

Fuel often gets the spotlight, but non-fuel expenses can have a major impact on fleet costs. Ramel Lindsay of U.S. Bank Voyager discusses how fleets can gain better visibility and control over these often-overlooked expenditures.

Read More →
Map of the Middle East beside fuel pump nozzles illustrating how regional supply disruptions are increasing fuel prices and raising fleet maintenance costs for petroleum-based products.
FuelJune 25, 2026

Fuel is Just the Start: How Middle East Tensions are Driving Up Fleet Maintenance Costs

The Middle East conflict is doing more than pushing up fuel prices. It’s also raising the cost of key maintenance products your fleet depends on, from motor oil to tires to windshield wipers. Here’s what you need to know about this budget-busting situation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic showing U.S. average gasoline prices through June 2026, with prices falling after a May peak. Regional chart shows the West Coast with the highest fuel prices among major U.S. regions.
Fuelby Faith HowellJune 23, 2026

June Fuel Update: Prices Fall Below $4

Drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump. The national average gas price has dropped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months, with prices falling in 47 states as oil markets react to developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Read More →
Row of fuel nozzles at gas station
Fuelby Chris BrownMay 30, 2026

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types

New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay
SponsoredMay 29, 2026

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An EIA and Automotive Fleet graphic breaks down fuel prices for the week of 5/28/2026.
Fuelby Faith HowellMay 5, 2026

May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines

Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.

Read More →
Graphic showing U.S. gas prices April 2026 with line chart near $4.04 per gallon and regional bars: West Coast highest at $5.41, others around $3.68–$4.02, indicating rising fuel costs.
Fuelby Faith HowellApril 29, 2026

April Fuel Update: Prices Climb Above $4 as Spring Surge Accelerates

National average jumps to $4.04 per gallon, up sharply from last year, with West Coast prices topping $5 and further increases expected amid rising oil tensions.

Read More →
Graphic reading “Fuel-Saving Strategies” with fuel pump and droplet icons, representing fleet management tips on policy, in-network fueling, and maintenance to reduce fuel costs.
Fuelby Faith HowellApril 27, 2026

Tips from Fleet Managers on Saving Fuel Costs

Fleet leaders share practical strategies to reduce fuel spend through smarter policy, routing, and driver guidance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing U.S. average gas prices for March 2026 with a line chart and regional breakdown, highlighting rising prices and highest costs on the West Coast above $5 per gallon.
Fuelby Faith HowellMarch 31, 2026

March Fuel Update: Prices Settle With a $4 Average

Fuel prices significantly slowed this week, but a $4 national average is still expected.

Read More →