U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) is warning truckers that President Trump’s offer of “tax-free” diesel may leave them with a bill after the temporary relief ends.
“People are going to get saddled with fines at the beginning of 2027 by using untaxed fuel,” Massie wrote.
@WhiteHouse @PanhandleLadee Hey @grok, if I put dyed diesel in a pickup truck, how long into the future will that truck test positive for using the untaxed fuel, and therefore be subject to fines for evading the tax after this executive order expires?
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) October 6, 2026
Trump signed an executive order Monday allowing red-dyed diesel to be used on public highways through December 31.
The fuel is normally restricted to tractors, construction equipment and other off-road vehicles because it is sold without the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal highway tax. It is dyed red so authorities can identify untaxed fuel found in a road vehicle.
Trump told attendees at a Nebraska rally: “For many years, farm vehicles, construction equipment, and other off-road vehicles have used what is known as ‘red dye’ diesel — which is exactly the same as normal diesel, but is sold tax-free for off-road vehicles and big trucks.”
He added: “Tonight, I am going to sign a historic Executive Order to officially waive the off-road requirement and allow anyone to purchase tax-free red dye diesel for any reason.”
The White House says a trucker buying 250 gallons will save approximately $60. The savings could exceed $100 in states that follow suit and also suspend their diesel taxes and restrictions.
But Massie’s concern — and his warning to those who will fill up with the “red diesel” — is that Trump only deferred the federal tax — he did not eliminate it.
[NOTE: Trump’s order protects authorized buyers and sellers from federal dyed-fuel penalties through December 31 and says the deferred taxes will not accrue interest or penalties during that period. It also directs the Treasury Department to determine when the postponed taxes must be paid and tells administration officials to explore legislation or other means of eliminating the obligation entirely.]
Diesel reached a record national average of approximately $6.50 a gallon in September, according to Reuters. Rising transportation and farming costs have become a political problem for Republicans with the midterm elections four weeks away.
“We are not going to need it long, I hope,” Trump said of the temporary deferral.
