PLEASE NOTE:
Since Monday, June 1st, the E-Filing and E-Commenting systems have experienced significant and unanticipated technical issues, and they continue to be unavailable. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Given these issues, we are extending the public comment deadline by one week, from June 9th at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time to June 16th at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
We are still accepting public comments via email at docket@energy.ca.gov. Once the system is available, we will docket comments received at this email address.
Please note that we continue to plan for a virtual Public Hearing on June 10th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Instructions on how to participate can be found at this event page.
Rulemaking documents that were posted at CEC Docket 26-TIRE-01 on April 24, 2026 are:
Please subscribe to the "Replacement Tire Efficiency Program" to stay up to date with docket submission and workshop announcements.
Did you know?
The tires that come on new cars are designed to give you better mileage, so you spend less time and money filling up your car. Unfortunately, replacement tires are often less efficient. That’s why your new car’s mileage might drop the first time you replace those new car tires. The efficiency gap between new car tires and replacement tires means that California drivers are paying nearly $1 billion in additional fuel costs – often without knowing why or how to fix it.
Replacement Tire Efficiency Program
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is considering setting standards for the energy efficiency of replacement tires sold for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks in California. The proposed regulations are designed to ensure that replacement tires are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold on new vehicles. The proposed regulations would also promote driver safety by setting a minimum wet grip standard.
Example: How much will I save?
Drivers of a gasoline passenger car or SUV with more efficient replacement tires would expect the following approximate savings and costs over the four-year life of the tires:
Phase 1: 2028 to 2031
| Savings | Costs | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $85 | Per tire: $1.50 Per set: $6 | $79 |
Payback period of ~3-4 months
Phase 2: 2031 and beyond
| Savings | Costs | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $179 | Per tire: $6.50 Per set: $26 | $153 |
Payback period of ~7 months
These savings were calculated with gasoline prices of $4.60 per gallon. At the elevated gasoline prices of mid-2026, the savings could be 25% higher than estimated here.
Benefits of Proposed Regulation
- Consumer Savings: The proposed regulation would save nearly $1 billion per year in gasoline and electricity costs, putting money back in the pockets of California drivers.
- Air Quality: By reducing fuel consumed, the proposed regulation would reduce CO2 emissions by 2.0 million metric tons per year, which is equivalent to taking ~400,000 gasoline cars off California roads. It would also reduce other criteria air pollutants such as nitrous oxides and particulate matter.
- Reduced Energy Demand: The proposed regulation would reduce California demand for gasoline by 141 million gallons. It would also reduce demand for electricity by 0.9 TWh each year.
Public comments on the rulemaking can be submitted to docket@energy.ca.gov through June 9, 2026.
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