Why CA Drivers Spend Billions More On Gas

CALIFORNIA -- Californians spend billions more in gas than drivers in other states without a real explanation as to why that's the case, according to a new report. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported drivers pay roughly 20 to 30 cents more per gallon compared to other parts of the U.S.

"And that’s not chump change when one considers Californians consume 40 million gallons a day. Multiply that over an entire year and (UC Berkeley professor Severin) Borenstein says that comes to between $3 billion to $4 billion that is unaccounted," the newspaper reported.

The article explores possible reasons why drivers in the Golden State pay so much more including the oil industry possibly controlling the market and less competition among companies.

The Union-Tribune said the UC Berekeley professor wants a state commission to get to the bottom of this.

Read the full article here.

--Photo via Shutterstock

--An earlier version incorrectly stated California drivers spend billions more on gas taxes instead of gas. Patch regrets the error.