After 73 years, New Jersey drivers may soon be able to pump their own gas
Pump, pump, pump it up.
If a bipartisan group of New Jersey legislators get their way, motorists will be able to pump their own gas.
As fuel prices continue to rise due to inflation and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a new bill has been proposed to allow self-service as an option.
New Jersey is the only state in the nation that does not allow drivers to pump their own gas due to a 1949 statute — the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act — citing safety concerns like fire hazards.
A gas station employee is required to pump all gas throughout the Garden State.
On Monday, the New Jersey Legislature introduced A3105 — named the Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act — a bipartisan measure allowing New Jersey customers the option to pump their own gas or continue with full-serve from an attendant.
The bill was sponsored by Democrat Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, Republican Assemblyman Edward H. Thomson and co-sponsored by Republican Assemblyman Rob Clifton.
“By providing a hybrid model, we can give consumers the option to do what they prefer when it comes to filling their gas tanks, while also giving them the opportunity to save money,” Murphy said in a statement.
The near-1,000 member New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, Automotive Association supports the bill, which will give the estimated 2,200 gas stations in the state to offer the option of self-serve.
“New Jersey is the last state in the United States to only offer full-service gas pumps,” association executive director Sal Risalvato said in a statement. “It’s time to bring New Jersey up to speed with the rest of the country with this commonsense approach. Over 300 million people already have the freedom to pump their gas, why shouldn’t the people of New Jersey be included?”
He added that gasoline retailers believe the hybrid model, will reduce the price of gas in the state by at least 15¢ per gallon.
According to American Automobile Association, the average price of gas in New Jersey was $3.68 as of Wednesday — higher than the national average of $3.61.
The law would take effect 90 days after the date passed and signed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
All previous efforts to drop the self-serve prohibition have failed in the state.
