The increase is due to a law from 2016 that was signed by former Gov. Chris Christie.
The Transportation Trust Fund is required to provide $16 billion over eight years — that’s $2 billion a year — to support critical infrastructure improvements to roads and bridges.
Officials say that the pandemic also played a role in the increase.
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Since people have been staying at home more due to restrictions, from March to May, both gasoline and diesel consumption decreased significantly. Those numbers continue to fall short with people still limiting their activity.
The tax rate had to increase in order to meet the target.
Drivers like Linda Williams say that may encourage them to stay home even more.
“Everything seems to be on the rise no matter what it is, food, houseware, homeware, clothing,” she said.