California single-handedly uses as much gasoline a

[ProudCanuck]

Last week I found this article on a website I subscribe to. www.autoracing1.com

California single-handedly uses as much gasoline as China

While some critics blame China for the rise in gasoline prices, a California Energy Commission report shows that California consumes as much gasoline as the entire country of China. The report also found California uses more than Russia, India or Germany.

The report was issued by California Energy Commission's State Alternative Fuels Plan last year during the Christmas season, but seems to have been missed by media and others. The report showed California alone uses more gasoline than any country in the world (except U.S. of course).

California uses 20 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel every year, which is greater than China for now (China is expected to exceed the State later this year).

China has a population of 1.3 billion, while California has 37 million in total.

California has seen a 50 per cent increase in oil consumption in 2007 compared to consumption in 1988.

You can read the full report (a 107-page PDF document) at www.energy.ca.gov/2007publications/CEC-600-2007-011/CEC-600-2007-011-CMF.PDF

[Neil]

Not surprising, really. If California were an independent country, it would have the eighth largest economy in the world. Bigger than Canada's. In the past, the state ranked as high as sixth.

It's fairly large- almost half the size of B.C. A lot of people, many with a lot of money, a huge highways network with tens of millions of vehicles. Pretty much the American dream on wheels, and that takes a lot of gas.

[Political Incorrectness]

Maybe they may want to invest heavily into mass-rapid transit infastructure.

[Mike C]

Jul 23, 2008 14:19:41 GMT -8 Political Incorrectness said:

Maybe they may want to invest heavily into mass-rapid transit infastructure.

I think California's rapid transit features a mini-shuttle bus running from Disneyland to the nearby hotels...

Why don't you talk to Arnie? Maybe the terminator can terminate the USA's Reputation for crumby transit, and make it not-so-crumby - one or two B-Lines here and there can't hurt...

[Northern Exploration]

Since the vast majority of people in China do not own a car this isn't surprizing. However, car sales are exploding there. It is still a sign of wealth for the small minority that can afford it. Unless the car is an expensive newer import many have significantly lower polution controls. I will be very interested in seeing what the stats are in 5 and 10 years from now, beccause massive changes are taking place as in India.

The physical makeup of a city like LA is not conducive to transit unfortunately. The place is so frggin spread out. People commute a very long distance in order to afford housing. The mountains on the east side of the city also play havoc with easy commuter transit routes. Of course much more could be done and needs to be done. But there is only so much you can do. Making a reasonable transit grid (not just buses) would take such massive amounts of money. But they need to start somewhere.