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).