I wrote a piece on Monday arguing that EVs are the best hedge against rising prices at the gas pump -- during the current US/Iran conflict or in any future global energy disruption.  And, as a result, that Georgia lawmakers could do more to lower ongoing costs for Georgia drivers if they put their resources into helping them transition to #DriveElectric, rather than resorting to the Band-Aid solution of suspending the state's $0.33 gasoline tax.

If you're open-minded about that suggestion, it might help if I share numbers to back up my assertion.  (Remember, we're not factoring in the environmental reasons for driving an EV, nor will we get into why we think you'll love driving electric once you try it. That's all in the videos we created to share our EV experiences.)  We're only talking here about economic advantages.

When Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation Friday to suspend Georgia's $0.33/gallon gasoline tax for 60 days, it was "Deja Vu all over again," as Yogi Berra would say.  Or as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young sang before many of you were born, "We have all been her before.  We have all been here before."  (Yeah, I'm old, but so what!?  Google it.)

Friday marked the fourth time Kemp has paused the tax at the pumps during his time as governor.  The previous three were the 2022 Russian attack on Ukraine, the 2023 inflation spike, and the devastation from Hurricane Helene in 2024.  In each instance, as prices for gasoline skyrocketed, the legislature and the governor stepped in to try and ease the pain at the pump.

Addressing his fellow senators on Friday regarding the suspension, Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, said “Hopefully this (conflict) will be resolved. But, in the meantime, we’re going to do what we can to help our citizens of Georgia have the lowest costs possible.”  Sen. Nikki Merritt, D-Grayson, said “It’s a win for our constituents and will hopefully give them much-needed relief.”  But is this relief?  Or just a Band-Aid with political upside, but no real cure for what ails us?

By Sara Peach, Yale Climate Connections

Don't be a victim.  These transportation choices allow you to live more freely & affordably.

This article was originally published on March 10, 2026, by Yale Climate Connections.  We're republishing it here to highlight the ways in which the work of our Sustainable Newton Transportation Committee supports not only cleaner, more affordable transportation choices, but also a lifestyle less dependent on oil and gas, without as much  vulnerability to price volatility and disruption to supplies.