California Gasoline and Diesel Consumption Increased In February Despite Higher Prices
28 May 2010
California gasoline consumption rose 0.8% in February, the first gain in four months, according to figures released by the Board of Equalization. Diesel consumption in California was up 7.6%, the largest increase since February 2008.
Californians used 1.13 billion gallons of gasoline in February 2010 compared to 1.12 billion gallons used in February 2009. The average price at the pump for gasoline in California during February 2010 was $2.99 per gallon compared to February 2009 when price was $2.27, a 31.7% increase.
Diesel consumption in February 2010 shows that Californians used 195.6 million total gallons, which is 13.8 million more in February this year over last. However, 11.3 million gallons of the February 2010 total were related to audit assessments for prior time periods. The figures reported monthly are net consumption that includes BOE audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and State Controller’s Office refunds. The February assessments were unusually high. If the February figure is reduced by 11.3 million gallons to adjust for the audits, diesel consumption still increased by 1.4%.
Diesel prices in California in February 2010 were $2.94 per gallon, which is an increase of 30.1% compared to February 2009 when the average diesel price was $2.26 per gallon.
The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors. Figures for March 2010 are scheduled to be available at the end of June 2010.
All monthly, quarterly, and annual figures can be viewed at: www.boe.ca.gov/sptaxprog/spftrpts.htm.
Who said that economy and fuel consumption are not related?
Posted by: HarveyD | 28 May 2010 at 11:28 AM
If people need to travel they will pay - simple. I'm used to paying almost $8 per gallon whilst my fuel economy is avarages 30-35mpg(US)
If I had to pay only $2.99 that would be fantastic. Would it make me travel more? No. I'd just enjoy the savings - there's no point in driving around just for the hell of it.
Posted by: Scott | 29 May 2010 at 06:45 AM
They are related, but you can have an expanding economy without using a lot more fuel. The old method of wasting fuel makes it more obvious, but it does not HAVE to be that way.
Posted by: SJC | 29 May 2010 at 11:51 AM
People do travel more when they earn more $$. Weekend and vacation trips get to be more frequent and longer etc. Vehicles get to be larger and consume more etc.
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 May 2010 at 10:19 AM