California’s gasoline consumption declined 1.5 percent, while diesel consumption increased 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2013, according to fuel tax data released by Betty T. Yee, First District member of the California State Board of Equalization.

“Even with modest price declines, California families continue to find ways to reduce their gasoline consumption, benefitting family budgets, as well as our environment and economy,” said Yee.

The BOE’s gasoline fuel tax report shows Californians consumed 3.50 billion gallons of gasoline in the first quarter of 2013, a 1.5 percent decline from the 3.56 billion gallons consumed during the first quarter of 2012.

In California, the average price of gasoline in the first quarter of 2013 was $4.00 per gallon, which is a six cent decrease over the average price of $4.06 per gallon in the first quarter of 2012.

Nationally, the average price of gasoline during the first quarter of 2013 was $3.64, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

BOE estimates statewide gasoline tax-related revenues for the first quarter of 2013 are $424 million in sales taxes and $1.261 billion in excise taxes in California.

California’s diesel fuel consumption increased 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2013 to 619 million gallons, compared to 597 million gallons in the first quarter of 2012.

In California, the average price of diesel fuel in the first quarter of 2013 was $4.22 per gallon, which is a decrease of six cents over the average price of $4.28 in the first quarter of 2012.

Nationally, the average price of diesel fuel in the first quarter of 2013 was $4.03 according to the EIA. BOE estimates statewide diesel fuel tax-related revenues for the first quarter of 2013 are $235 million in sales taxes and $77 million in excise tax in California.

For more information on California fuel statistics, or reports based on fuel tax receipts paid by distributors in California, visit: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm .