Replacement Tire Efficiency Program Proceeding

On August 17, the California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously approved the country’s first replacement tire efficiency standard for passenger and light-duty vehicles in California. As directed by the California legislature, the standard will ensure that replacement tires are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold on new vehicles. The standard will save drivers money by increasing fuel economy and tire lifespan, make replacement tires safer, and empower consumers to make more informed decisions about their purchase thanks to new tire rating labeling. 

Costs and savings of new standard

California’s new replacement tire efficiency standard is designed to save drivers money. Replacement tires will be 16% more efficient on average, saving Californians an estimated $1 billion in annual gasoline and electricity costs.

Phase 1 begins January 1, 2029: We project average annual fuel savings of $79 at a small up-front cost increase estimated to average about $6 per set of four tires. 

Phase 2 begins January 1, 2033: We project average annual fuel savings of $153 at an average additional cost of about $26 per set of four tires.

The incremental cost will be offset by fuel savings within months and will continue to save drivers money every time they refuel over the lifespan of the tires. Fuel savings reflect cost of gasoline and cost of electricity (for electric vehicles). At the elevated gasoline prices of mid-2026, projected savings would be approximately 25% higher than the estimates above.  For details on the methodology to calculate costs and savings, please refer to CEC's staff report. Detailed information on specifications such as rolling resistance for different tires is also available in the staff report.

Benefits of new standard

• Saves money: Efficient tires will save California drivers approximately a billion dollars each year. Couple that with regular attention to adequate tire inflation and the savings are even higher. 
• Empowers consumer choice: California’s tire efficiency standard introduces the first tire rating system in the nation, equipping consumers with standardized information about efficiency, stopping performance, and lifespan. Many countries around the world have long required such consumer labeling, but California will be the first in the U.S. to ensure consumers know exactly what they’re buying. 
• Improves safety: The tire efficiency standard also establishes safety requirements to ensure that all tires sold in California meet minimum safety standards. 
• Decreases pollution: More efficient tires mean less fuel is combusted, which translates to cleaner air. The standard will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 2 million metric tons per year, equivalent to taking 400,000 gasoline cars off California roads. 

Excluded Specialty Tires

The following tires are excluded from the new standard’s minimum efficiency requirements. Please consult the staff report for specific definitions and requirements.

• Competition tires designed for motorsports
• Winter-type snow tires
• All-season winter performance tires
• Used and retreaded tires
• Deep tread tires
• Tires designed for ATVs and other off-road vehicles
• Large off-road tires for use up to 99 mph
• Motorcycle tires
• Temporary-use spare tires
• Small tires with ≤13-inch nominal rim diameter
• Limited production tires (<15,000 per year)
• Tires sold for use on an emergency vehicle
• High load index tires (122 or greater)
• Tires not capable of sustaining speeds over 50 mph
• Space saver tires