California’s New Tire Rules Could Shrink Choices for Drivers

California regulators have voted to adopt new rules that will phase out certain replacement tires from the market, potentially limiting what drivers can buy. The California Energy Commission approved the standards, which target tire rolling resistance, the energy needed to keep a tire rolling.

Tires with lower rolling resistance use less fuel or electricity, while higher-resistance tires can reduce fuel economy or driving range compared to original equipment tires.

The standards were developed after testing 537 tire types. 1 newtons per kilonewton (N/kN). 2 N/kN. The commission estimates the rules will save California drivers nearly $1 billion annually in fuel and electricity costs, with a typical gasoline car driver saving about $179 over a set of tires.

It also projects a reduction of 2 million metric tons of CO2 per year, equal to removing around 400,000 gasoline cars from the road.

CEC Chair David Hochschild called the move "the nation’s first replacement tire efficiency standards," saying it will help Californians save on refueling, cut pollution, and extend vehicle range. However, Goodyear representative Bret Gladfelty argued the rules could raise tire prices and leave many technical and legal questions unanswered.

50 extra per tire, suggesting the real increase could reach several hundred dollars in some cases. Gladfelty also claimed the regulation could make roughly 70% of tires currently sold in California ineligible by 2033.

The commission said it held a five-year stakeholder process with manufacturers and trade groups, and staff plan to verify claims through lab testing and retailer checks. Environmental groups supported the proposal, citing air quality benefits. The rules include exceptions for competition tires, winter snow tires, all-season winter performance tires, used and retreaded tires, deep tread tires, off-road and ATV tires, motorcycle tires, temporary-use spares, small tires (13-inch rim or less), limited production tires (under 15,000 per year), emergency vehicle tires, high load index tires (122 or greater), tires not rated for speeds over 50 mph, and space saver tires.