# Michigan Order Allows Dyed Diesel for Vehicles With Farm or Wood Harvester Plates

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/33119
Published: 2026-10-16T07:51:35.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-16T07:51:35.000Z
Section: Regulation

> The authorization took effect Oct. 12 and ends no later than Dec. 31. Federal penalty relief had already taken effect Oct. 1, before Michigan’s order.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a statewide energy emergency and eased fuel rules for vehicles with farm or wood harvester plates, allowing them to use dyed diesel on public roads through Dec. 31.

Executive Order 2026-15, dated Oct. 12, immediately suspended specific provisions of Michigan’s Motor Fuel Tax Act that prohibit covered vehicles from using dyed diesel on public roads.

Whitmer said the order would let covered vehicles use dyed diesel on highways “without risk of penalty.” The measure is intended to support farmers and loggers during the fall harvest.

The federal penalty relief took effect Oct. 1, before Michigan issued its order, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) did not announce the nationwide relief until Oct. 14. It covers penalties for highway use of dyed diesel through Dec. 31 and does not affect state fuel taxes or penalties.

President Donald Trump’s Oct. 5 executive order directed the U.S. Department of the Treasury to determine whether certain diesel excise-tax payments could be deferred. It also directed the IRS to provide penalty relief for highway use of dyed diesel. Further guidance on possible federal payment deferrals was pending.

Michigan’s average diesel price stood at $6.48 per gallon on Friday, Oct. 16, below the state record of $6.89 set Sept. 23. The national average was $6.30 per gallon on Oct. 14, compared with a national record of $6.53 on Sept. 22.

Global diesel exports in September were 700,000 barrels per day below September 2025. Combined net exports from Russia and the Middle East stood at 820,000 barrels per day, down 1.3 million barrels per day and more than 60% year over year. Michigan’s authorization ends no later than Dec. 31.