Myth: California is banning 70% of tires.
Fact: This is about improving replacement tires, not eliminating them, to match the efficiency of tires that already exist when you get a new car. California is phasing in a standard that protects drivers from lower-quality, money-draining tires. Many replacement tires on the market today are inefficient and are costing Californians billions of dollars. The California Energy Commission’s (CEC) tire efficiency target is modest and won’t take full effect until 2033, which is plenty of time for the market to get ready. The largest tire manufacturers and retailers in the world — including Michelin and Bridgestone — have confirmed that it is achievable while preserving safety, lifespan, and innovation. Retailers will continue to be able to sell their inventory without issue.
When CEC passed an efficiency standard for TVs in 2009 — about 75% of the models didn’t initially comply. Since then, TVs have only gotten cheaper, bigger, and better, with no impact on consumers looking to buy a TV. As with every prior efficiency standard, consumers will continue to have a robust supply of replacement tires for all vehicle types.
Myth: California is taking away consumer choice, telling you what to buy.
Fact: Energy efficiency is bipartisan and commonly known as the first line of defense to cutting costs. The CEC was created by then-Governor Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and was charged with creating efficiency standards that deliver savings for consumers. And that’s exactly what the CEC has done for 50 years. California efficiency standards for TVs, lighting, and more have saved consumers upwards of $200 billion while ensuring abundant consumer choice. And even with these standards in place, the price of these products has fallen.
Myth: These replacement tire standards will cost consumers hundreds of dollars.
Fact: These replacement tire standards will save consumers hundreds of dollars. The consumer cost of meeting the standard is very low – just a few dollars per tire. Then the savings come from greater fuel efficiency, saving you at the gas pump and the charging station. In the era of Trump’s high energy prices and prolonged Iran war, every little bit of savings helps working families.
The improvements to these tires pay for themselves very quickly. And that’s not just our view: that’s the conclusion of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regularly analyzes the cost of increasing efficiency for tires. The technology already exists: it’s common on new cars and in about 30% of replacement tires currently on the market. These include some of the most popular and affordable tires, including tires priced below $100 per tire. The new efficiency standard will increase market competition for these efficient tires, which is good for consumers.
Myth: Energy efficiency isn’t saving you any money.
Fact: Energy efficiency has saved Californians more than $200 billion across both Republican and Democratic administrations since the 1970s. Standards for refrigerators, washers, dryers, computers, televisions, light bulbs, building construction, and more have slashed energy usage and allowed current energy infrastructure to meet increasing demand. For example, if you look at an efficiency standard like lightbulbs, which have reduced electricity use by 90%, we're saving Californians over $6 billion per year. If you flipped the script and added 90% more energy consumption with every light bulb used, 50% more with every TV, and so on with almost every appliance in our homes, consumers would take note. That’s what these standards do: they quietly save consumers money, and all those savings add up.