On August 17, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP), which is the country’s first replacement tire efficiency standard for passenger and light-duty vehicles in California.
This program is designed to save California drivers money by improving the rolling efficiency of tires, which then saves on fueling costs. The standards are estimated to save California drivers nearly $1 billion per year in gasoline and electricity costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million metric tons per year. In addition to saving Californians money, the standard will kick off a consumer-facing labeling system that rates wet-grip performance, efficiency, and tire lifespan, which will encourage increased safety and durability of tires.
The program will roll out in two phases, with Phase 1 beginning in 2029 and Phase 2 beginning in 2033. Phase 1 would allow the sale of tires with a certain rolling resistance threshold, and in 2033 the rolling resistance threshold will tighten. These standards were developed through five years of extensive research, lab testing, and stakeholder engagement with tire manufacturers and trade associations. With input from industry, CEC carved out rule exceptions for certain specialty tires including competition tires, large off-road tires, and all-weather winter performance tires.
For more information, please visit: https://www.energy.ca.gov/proceeding/replacement-tire-efficiency-program-proceeding.