The California Energy Commission on Aug. 17 adopted replacement tire efficiency regulations and certified the final environmental impact report for the statewide program required under AB 844.
In the resolution for its business meeting, the commission said the rules implement a Replacement Tire Efficiency Program of statewide applicability for passenger-car and light-duty-truck replacement tires. The agency said the program is designed to ensure replacement tires sold in California are, on average, at least as energy efficient as original equipment tires.
CEC materials say the rules will phase in beginning Jan. 1, 2029, with stricter standards taking effect Jan. 1, 2033. The staff report also said the proposal was technically feasible and cost-effective for consumers, estimating a net benefit of $153 to $207 per vehicle over a four-year tire lifespan.
The final action follows years of rulemaking steps, including a 2023 pre-rulemaking workshop, a notice of preparation for the environmental review in 2024, and a notice of proposed action in April 2026. The meeting packet says the rulemaking file will go to the Office of Administrative Law after the commission completes post-adoption steps.
The materials provided for the meeting do not include a vote tally or commissioner-by-commissioner comments on the adoption.
