California CEO compares controversial new tire rules to high-speed rail

Key Points:

• Dunlop Tires North America CEO Darren Thomas criticized California’s new green tire mandate, comparing it to the state’s costly and troubled High-Speed Rail project, urging officials to prove the regulation’s effectiveness before enforcing it on millions of drivers.
• The mandate, set to take effect in 2029, will ban replacement tires that don’t meet energy-efficiency standards focused on reducing rolling resistance to improve fuel economy and lower emissions.
• Critics warn the tire rules could cause significant price increases, with average tire costs potentially doubling, while Dunlop highlights concerns that the regulations do not adequately consider impacts on traction, weather performance, and tread life.
• Thomas emphasized that while the technology to meet rolling-resistance standards exists, the state should ensure comprehensive real-world testing and validation to confirm consumers benefit overall, not just from lower rolling resistance numbers.
• Dunlop plans to advocate for further study and adjustments to the rules, suggesting alternatives like tire pressure management could achieve energy efficiency without added costs, appealing to regulators for evidence-based policymaking.