California gasoline consumption increased 0.9% year-on-year in October 2010, while diesel fuel consumption declined 3.8 percent, compared with October 2009, according to figures released by the California State Board of Equalization (BOE).
In October 2010, Californians used 1.257 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 1.246 billion gallons in October 2009. The average California gasoline price at the pump in October 2010 was $3.15 per gallon compared to $3.06 in October 2009, a 2.9% increase.
Diesel fuel sold in California during October 2010 totaled 216 million gallons compared to October 2009’s total of 224 million gallons, which is a decrease of 3.8%. California diesel prices were $3.21 per gallon in October 2010—an increase of 12.2% compared to October 2009 when the average diesel price was $2.86 per gallon.
The BOE is able to monitor gallons through tax receipts paid by fuel distributors. The figures reported monthly are net consumption that includes BOE audit assessments, refunds, amended and late tax returns, and State Controller’s Office refunds. Figures for November 2010 are scheduled to be available at the end of February 2011.