The California Energy Commission has unanimously approved the first efficiency standards for replacement tires in the United States. The program aims to reduce energy consumption for both internal combustion and electric vehicles by lowering rolling resistance.
The commission estimates the initiative will save California residents approximately $1 billion annually in energy costs. Additionally, the standards are projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 2 million metric tons per year, which is equivalent to removing 400 000 gasoline-powered cars from the road.
Under the second phase of the program, the estimated cost increase for a set of four tires is $26. The commission projects that gasoline vehicle drivers will save about $179 over the lifespan of these tires, with the initial cost offset by fuel savings within seven to eight months.
The standards include a minimum wet-grip requirement proposed by the tire industry. Manufacturers have been granted more than six years to adapt their product lines to meet the new efficiency thresholds before they take full effect.
The development of these regulations involved over five years of testing, stakeholder workshops, and analysis of laboratory data from more than 150 tire models. Major industry players, including Michelin, Bridgestone, and Discount Tire, have expressed support for the program.
