California introduces new tyre replacement rules

The state of California, United States, will officially begin regulating replacement tyres on the market with rolling resistance standards for aftermarket tyres.

CarsCoops reported on Thursday (20/8) local time that the rule has been approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC) through the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP), which has a simple goal: ensuring replacement tyres do not make vehicles less fuel- or electricity-efficient than the tyres fitted when the vehicle left the factory.

New vehicles generally use low rolling resistance tyres to help achieve energy consumption efficiency.

However, when those tyres wear out and are replaced, consumers have a wider range of choices, including products with higher rolling resistance.

The CEC estimates this policy could save nearly 1 billion US dollars per year in fuel costs for California consumers while cutting carbon emissions by around 2 million metric tonnes annually.

Certain specialist tyres are exempt, including high-performance competition tyres, off-road tyres, and winter tyres.

However, the policy is not without opposition. Some industry players worry the new standards could raise tyre prices and narrow consumer choice.

There are also concerns about the entry of cheap imported tyres that do not meet the standards for a vehicle.

The CEC argues that the additional cost can be offset by energy savings over the tyre’s service life.

Several major manufacturers, such as Michelin and Bridgestone, even support the policy.

For the tyre industry, California’s rule could become a new precedent.

If other states follow suit, tyre efficiency could shift from being merely a product value-add to a mandatory requirement in the US automotive market.