The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) reported that state gasoline and diesel consumption figures for third quarter 2011 and for September 2011.

In California, gasoline consumption decreased 2.0 percent in the third quarter and declined 2.1 percent in September.

Diesel fuel consumption increased 6.6 percent in the third quarter and rose 7.0 percent in September compared to last year.

“Driving was more expensive in the third quarter because of rising gasoline prices, and people continued to use less gasoline,” said BOE First District Member Betty T. Yee.

In third quarter 2011, California’s gasoline consumption declined 2.0 percent, with a total of 3.727 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 3.803 billion gallons of gasoline in the third quarter last year.

In California, the average price of gasoline per gallon rose 74 cents to $3.88 in third quarter 2011, a 24 percent increase over third quarter 2010’s average price of $3.14 per gallon.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline rose 92 cents to $3.69 in third quarter 2011, a 33 percent increase over last year’s U.S. average price of $2.77 per gallon of gasoline in third quarter 2010.

In September 2011, California’s gasoline consumption decreased 2.1 percent to 1.211 billion gallons of gasoline compared to last year when 1.238 billion gallons of gasoline were consumed.

September’s average price for a gallon of gasoline in California rose 91 cents to $3.97, a 30 percent increase compared to last September when the average price was $3.06 per gallon of gasoline.

Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in September was up 91 cents to $3.67 per gallon, a 33 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of gasoline of $2.76 last year in September.

In the third quarter 2011, diesel consumption increased 6.6 percent to 713 million gallons compared to 669 million gallons in the third quarter 2010.

In California, the average price of diesel fuel in third quarter 2011 increased 92 cents to $4.06, a 29 percent increase compared to $3.14 price per gallon of diesel in third quarter 2010.

Nationally, the average price of diesel fuel in third quarter 2011 was up 93 cents to $3.87, a 32 percent increase over third quarter 2010’s average U.S. price of $2.94 per gallon of diesel.

In September 2011, diesel consumption increased 7.0 percent for a total 261.9 million gallons compared to the total of 244.8 million gallons of diesel in September 2010.

In California, the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel was up 92 cents to $4.06 per gallon in September 2011, a 29 percent increase over the average price of a gallon of diesel of $3.14 in September 2010.

Nationally, the average price of a gallon of diesel was up 89 cents to $3.84 in September 2011, a 30 percent increase over the average U.S. price of a gallon of diesel of $2.95 in September 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.

The State Board of Equalization is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors in California. Figures for October 2011 are scheduled to be available at the end of January 2012.

Figures for fourth quarter 2011 will be available at the end of March 2012.

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