State's August gasoline consumption fell 1.7 percent; diesel fuel consumption rose 11.1 percent

The State Board of Equalization on Wednesday announced California’s gasoline and diesel consumption figures for August 2011.

In California, gasoline consumption fell 1.7 percent in August 2011, while diesel fuel consumption rose 11.1 percent.

“Gasoline consumption continued a six-month decline this year,” said First District Member Betty T. Yee. “Unless gasoline prices lower, Californians will face increasing financial pressure in the months ahead.”

California’s gasoline consumption declined 1.7 percent to 1.27 billion gallons in August 2011 compared to 1.29 billion gallons used in August 2010.

In California, the average price for a gallon of gasoline in August 2011 rose 63 cents to $3.82, a 20 percent increase compared to August 2010 when the average price was $3.19 per gallon of gasoline.

Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in August 2011 was up 92 cents to $3.70 per gallon, a 33 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of gasoline of $2.78 in August 2010.

California’s diesel consumption increased 11.1 percent for a total 228 million gallons in August 2011 compared to the total of 205 million gallons of diesel consumed in August 2010.

The average price of diesel fuel in California was up 85 cents to $4.01 per gallon in August 2011, a 27 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of diesel of $3.16 in August 2010.

Nationally, the average price of a gallon of diesel was up 90 cents to $3.86 in August 2011, a 30 percent increase over the average U.S. price of a gallon of diesel of $2.96 in August 2010.

Gasoline and diesel fuel figures are net consumption that includes the State Board of Equalization’s audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and the State Controller’s Office refunds. Figures for September and third quarter 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of December 2011.

For all monthly, quarterly and annual fuel reports, visit www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.

Taxable Gasoline Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/MVF_10_Year_Report.pdf.

Taxable Diesel Gallons: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/reports/Diesel_10_Year_Report.pdf.