The Hidden Cost of California’s ‘Green’ Tire Mandate: Fewer Choices, Shorter Tread Life
The Golden State's tire efficiency rule could ban every aftermarket tire you actually want.
by Kerry Jackson June 26, 2026, 9:51 AM
On the surface, it might appear to be minor. Nothing too big. But from seemingly insignificant rules come sweeping, burdensome regulatory frameworks. [some emphasis, links added]
The plan is only to outlaw a particular type of automobile tire for fuel-economy purposes, but it gives regulators the power to police anything they wish: from engine displacement (while internal-combustion engines are still legal in the state) to even a minimum seating capacity (no more two-seat sports cars because they aren’t energy-efficient).
More than 20 years ago, the Legislature passed a law that established the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program, “to ensure that replacement tires sold in the state are at least as energy efficient, on average, as the tires sold in the state as original equipment on these vehicles.”
Few car owners think about it when buying a new set of tires, but those with high-rolling resistance get poorer mileage than those with low-rolling resistance — the sort of tire California wants to force on car owners.
https://climatechangedispatch.com/california-tire-efficiency-regulation/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
