August 17, 2026
Consumer, environmental, and health advocates celebrated the California Energy Commission’s adoption today of first-in-the-nation efficiency standards for replacement tires. The standards will save drivers about $180 in gasoline costs over the lifetime of a set of replacement tires by ensuring they are as efficient as those found on new cars. They will reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter pollution and cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to those from 400,000 gasoline cars, the Commission found.
The standards—required by a 2003 state law—do not impact the longevity of tires and include a wet grip standard that will remove the least-safe tires from the market. The rules also include exemptions to ensure niche tire categories, such as motorsports tires, remain available. The standards were revised in response to multiple rounds of manufacturer and other stakeholder feedback before being finalized. They will take effect in two stages, in 2029 and 2033.
"We welcome CEC's adoption of this long-awaited regulation," said Karim D. Marshall, director of climate and energy policy for the Consumer Federation of America. "In this era of geopolitical instability and high fuel prices, every dollar counts. Thanks to these replacement tire efficiency standards, consumers will be able to save money and reduce their impact on the environment. We look forward to working with CEC in future iterations of the program to make it even better."
“We applaud the CEC’s adoption of these cost-effective standards and recognize they are the product of extensive and thoughtful research,” said Michele Canales, senior policy advocate at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “These standards will save consumers money and cut emissions without compromising safety or tire longevity. We look forward to working together on next steps for a swift implementation.”
"Your car's tires can greatly impact fuel efficiency,” said Chris Chavez, deputy policy director at Coalition for Clean Air. “Having inefficient tires causes your car's engine to work harder and burn more gas. This pollutes our air and costs you money. The Energy Commission's new rules, which are more than 20 years in the making, will ensure your tires aren't putting a drag on your car – and your pocketbook."
“California’s new tire efficiency standards are a major win for consumers, public health, and the climate,” said Merrian Borgeson, California climate and energy policy director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “More efficient replacement tires will save drivers money, reduce harmful pollution and climate emissions, and help vehicles use less energy – including improving efficiency and range for electric vehicles. This first-in-the-nation program shows how practical climate policy can deliver meaningful benefits for Californians.”
“When the inefficient tires are phased out, California drivers will save money week after week. It’s going to improve affordability and help protect the climate,” said Brian Fadie, senior manager for state policy at the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. “With the extensive work California has done to figure out the technical details, other states now have a strong template they can easily adopt to lower costs for their residents.”
“These standards will help ensure that vehicles maintain their efficiency when drivers buy replacement tires, saving Californians money every mile they drive,” said Rachel Aland, transportation director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. “At a time when many federal consumer protections are being rolled back, California has stepped up with a measure that will save residents money.”
“We applaud the Commission's work and adoption of these standards, which will help make vehicle ownership more affordable by lowering fueling costs and extending vehicle longevity,” said Robert Herrell, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California. "These standards deliver real savings for California families while helping protect our environment.”
"These new standards are a step toward cleaner air in California,” said Jenn Engstrom, state director of CALPIRG Education Fund. “Cars with more efficient tires burn less fuel. That curbs greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants that adversely impact public health every year. I applaud the Energy Commission for helping Californians breathe a little easier."
Dan Jacobson, senior advisor for Environment California, said: “Implementing rigorous efficiency standards for replacement tires delivers a win-win for California. It offers consumers real financial savings while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and dangerous air pollution. While the CEC and the Governor’s office deserve praise for taking action today, swift implementation is essential.”
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ASAP & ACEEE: Ben Somberg, bsomberg@aceee.org
Union of Concerned Scientists: Lana Cohen, lcohen@ucs.org
Coalition for Clean Air: Chris Chavez, chris@ccair.org
Consumer Federation of America: Karim Marshall, kmarshall@consumerfed.org
CALPIRG: Jen Engstrom, jengstrom@calpirg.org
Consumer Federation of California: Yarissa Ramirez, ramirez@consumercal.org
NRDC: Kari Birdseye, kbirdseye@nrdc.org
Environment California: Dan Jacobson, djsacramento@gmail.com
