California Officially Adopts Replacement Tire Efficiency Program

Key Points:

• California has officially launched its Replacement Tire Efficiency Program, the first U.S. regulations governing the types of replacement tires available in the aftermarket.
• The program includes exemptions for specialty tires such as high-performance competition, off-road, and all-season winter tires, following revisions made after public comments.
• The initiative received mixed reactions: major tire manufacturers like Michelin and Bridgestone supported it with calls for balancing safety and efficiency, while Dunlop urged careful evaluation of its broader impacts.
• The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) opposed the regulation over concerns about affordability, consumer choice, and effects on small businesses but acknowledged improvements in the final proposal.
• Approved unanimously by the California Energy Commission, the program aims to save drivers nearly $1 billion and cut CO2 emissions by 2 million metric tons annually, with regulations phased in starting in 2029 and tightening in 2033.