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.


In announcing the state's fuel consumption figures for the month and the quarter, Jerome Horton, Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization, said he remains optimistic that while the state is seeing some economic growth, "Californians continue to face financial challenges as gas prices were up 24%, and gas consumption continued to decline in the third quarter."

In third quarter 2011, California's gasoline consumption was 3.73 billion gallons compared to 3.80 billion gallons in the third quarter last year. In California, the average per-gallon price of gasoline rose 74 cents to $3.88 in third quarter 2011, a 24% 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% increase over last year's U.S. average price of $2.77 per gallon in third quarter 2010.

Diesel fuel, on the other hand, was selling like hotcakes.

In the third quarter 2011, diesel consumption increased 6.6% 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% 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% increase over third quarter 2010’s average U.S. price of $2.94 per gallon.

"The third quarter figures for diesel consumption are a good sign that the economy is getting on track," said Horton.