California uses more gasoline than India or China

In summary, California uses more gasoline than any other country in the world. This could be because the population is large, or because the transportation system is not efficient.
  • #1
siddharth
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If it's true, that's a pretty astonishing statistic.

Given all the news coverage about the rise of the Chinese economy, you could be forgiven for thinking that the world's most populous country is hogging all the world's resources, while the developed nations are fighting for scraps.

But, at least with transportation fuel, you'd be wrong. California alone uses more gasoline than any country in the world (except the US as a whole, of course). That means California's 20 billion gallon gasoline and diesel habit is greater than China's! (Or Russia's. Or India's. Or Brazil's. Or Germany's.)
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/07/amazing-stat-ca.html
 
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  • #2
article said:
One more choice statistic: gasoline usage in California has increased 50 percent, that's 6.7 billion gallons, since 1988.

...

But China's oil thirst is growing -- to almost 20 billion gallons in 2007 -- and perhaps as early as this year, China's 1.3 billion people will overtake California's 37 million people in total gasoline and diesel usage.
Before it's all over, California maybe will have used more than China in total, even if China soon starts to exceed California's consumption.
 
  • #3
To include two important details, CA has a sixth of the GDP of China and a thirtieth of the population.
 
  • #4
Gokul43201 said:
To include two important details, CA has a sixth of the GDP of China and a thirtieth of the population.
Let's see... Lots of people that need to get from one place to another... Long commutes... Stop-and-go driving on freeways...

Hmm. Could a public investment in public transportation in California help out a bit. Probably not - oil companies could suffer.
 
  • #5
Now does folks suppose CA would be so ready to expend so much on fuel if costed at UK prices?

Lets see .. Diesel at Shell filling station 2 miles away is uk £1.34/litre
US. gallon = 3.785 litres
UK pound = $1.9956 at present.

Ten bucks and 12 cents gets you a gallon :cry:
 
  • #6
I wonder if they'd be willing to drive so much if California was the size of the UK, instead of like 7000 times as big.
 
  • #7
turbo-1 said:
Hmm. Could a public investment in public transportation in California help out a bit. Probably not - oil companies could suffer.

It seems like instead of expanding the bus routes here in Los Angeles, they are always cutting back. We almost lost the bus that runs through my area.
http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2008/04/03/news_-_features/marina_del_rey/m1.txt

We have a limited subway system, but riding alone tends to be a pretty scary experience.
 

1. Why does California use more gasoline than India or China?

There are several factors that contribute to California's higher gasoline consumption compared to India or China. These include the state's large population, higher vehicle ownership rates, and a heavy dependence on personal vehicles due to limited public transportation options.

2. Is California's higher gasoline consumption due to inefficient vehicles?

No, California has some of the strictest vehicle emissions standards in the world, which require cars to have high fuel efficiency. However, the sheer number of vehicles on the road in California still contributes to the overall higher gasoline consumption.

3. How does gasoline use in California compare to other states in the US?

California does have higher gasoline consumption compared to other states in the US, although it is not the highest. States like Texas and Florida also have high gasoline consumption due to factors such as large populations and reliance on personal vehicles.

4. What are the environmental impacts of California's high gasoline use?

The high gasoline consumption in California contributes to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. It also leads to oil drilling and refining, which can have negative impacts on the environment and surrounding communities.

5. Are there any efforts being made to reduce gasoline consumption in California?

Yes, California has implemented various policies and initiatives to reduce gasoline consumption, such as promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, investing in public transportation, and setting emissions standards for vehicles. However, it will require a collective effort from individuals and industries to significantly reduce gasoline use in the state.

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