By admin 
State regulators on Monday unanimously approved new energy efficiency rules for replacement tires — the first of their kind in the nation.
Read more Former Rocklin mayor Peter Hill remembered for nearly 30 years of service
The California Energy Commission — acting on state legislation passed more than 20 years ago — and supporters, such as the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America, said the new rules will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 2 million metric tons per year and save Californians money on fuel costs. However, some tire manufacturers questioned the projected savings, saying consumer costs could instead increase.
The new standards relate to tires’ rolling resistance, or how much energy it takes to keep the tires moving at a consistent speed. According to the commission, the average rolling resistance of tires first put on a vehicle is lower than that of tires often selected as replacements. The higher resistance can increase spending on gasoline and electricity.
The standards, which affect tires for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, will be phased in. The maximum rolling resistance standard will be lowered first in 2029 and then in 2033. The regulations also include a minimum wet grip standard, which measures a tire’s ability to safely brake on wet roads.
The increased efficiency could save Californians about $1 billion per year in gasoline and electricity costs, according to commission estimates. The commission said the savings would come with a limited increase in tire costs, estimated at about $1.50 per tire in 2029 and $6.50 per tire in 2033.
All tires sold in California would need to be certified using CEC-required testing methods and meet the rolling resistance and wet grip standards. However, the regulations include multiple exceptions for specific types of tires, such as spare tires, motorcycle tires and deep-tread tires.
In 2003, the state Legislature passed Assembly Bill 844, directing the CEC to establish a program to ensure replacement tires are at least as energy efficient as the original tires on new vehicles. The regulations approved Monday fulfill that directive.
Read more Tahoe-area ski resorts announce opening day for snowy ‘Super El Niño’ season
At the hearing Monday, multiple organizations expressed support for the regulations and their expected benefits for consumers and the environment.
Karim D. Marshall, director of climate and energy policy for the Consumer Federation of America, said the program would help consumers better distinguish between higher- and lower-efficiency tires through the rating system and public database.
“This rule is a rare instance where not only the environment will benefit, but consumers will get more out of their purchases rather than less,” Marshall said. “These tire standards will help consumers spend a little bit less on gas or charging costs over the life of their next set of replacement tires. And these days, every dollar counts.”
Some public commenters at the hearing Monday expressed concerns about limiting consumer choice and the possibility that tire prices could rise more than predicted.
Bret Gladfelty, a lobbyist for tiremaker Goodyear, sent a letter to the commission saying manufacturers were concerned that the cost increase would not be $26 per four-tire set but instead “a potential several-hundred-dollar point-of-sale issue for a set of four tires.” He also said technical and legal questions remain unresolved.
Read more ‘Dramatic reduction’ in gridlock? Yosemite claims more visitors, less congestion