New Brunswick Summer driving fun in N.B. dimmed by Canada’s highest clean fuel charges Clean fuel charges paid by motorists on gasoline overtook New Brunswick’s gas tax in size for the first time during the spring and summer, as costs of the federal policy to New Brunswick consumers surged well beyond original projections. According to records posted by New Brunswick’s Energy and Utilities Board, amounts approved to be levied at the pump on consumers in New Brunswick to compensate oil companies for the cost of "clean fuel regulations" averaged more than 12 cents per litre for gasoline over the entire summer driving season from June through September. New Brunswick’s provincial gasoline tax is currently 10.87 cents per litre. Based on historic fuel consumption levels in New Brunswick it means clean fuel charges would have added up to $48 million to retail gasoline prices over the 22-week period, plus HST. A federal report from 2023 predicted New Brunswick’s clean fuel charges would see drivers paying a peak of eight cents a litre — but not until 2030. This summer, it ranged between 11.66 cents and 12.34 cents a litre.
Will clean fuel charges raise New Brunswick fuel bills? Yes, they have exceeded projections and contributed to higher pump prices this summer.