California became the first U.S. state to ban car replacement tires on energy efficiency grounds to fight climate change.
On Monday, August 17, the California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously voted on a 20-year dormant bill to phase out replacement tires under its Replacement Tire Efficiency Program (RTEP). The RTEP regulations would mandate that “replacement tires are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold on new vehicles” and help “promote driver safety by setting a minimum wet grip standard.”
The CEC argues this regulation will save California drivers $1 billion in gasoline and electricity costs. The agency further claims consumers will pay $1.50 per tire during Phase 1 (2029 to 2033) and $6.50 per tire during Phase 2 (2033 and beyond). Hypothetically, across the lifetime of replacement tires, consumers would ultimately save a paltry $179 on gasoline, based on current state-average gas prices ($4.60/gal). A representative for Goodyear Tires disputed these numbers, saying consumers would actually pay “several hundreds of dollars” per tire.
Seventy percent of replacement tires sold in California would be phased out by 2033. Although the CEC isn’t denying the 70% figure, it threatened KCRA News reporter Ashley Zavala, who broke the story, to “consider taking a different tone” in her reporting.
Unsurprisingly, this first-in-the-nation tire regulation works in concert with California’s climate goals to reduce driving altogether.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) website boasts a page, “Priority Areas for Local Climate Action,” that recommends a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Reduction policy.
“Zero-emission vehicles alone are not sufficient to address the major climate-related impacts of the transportation sector. Even with 100 percent ZEV sales in the light-duty vehicle sector by 2035, a significant portion of passenger vehicles in California will continue to rely on internal combustion engine technology. Driving, regardless of vehicle technology, will continue to produce particulate emissions from brake and tire wear,” the CARB website reads. “Reducing VMT also helps curb expensive road expansions, traffic, air pollution, pedestrian injury and mortality, and loss of natural and working lands.”
VMT is aligned with California law to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. CARB’s 2022 Scoping Plan urges the Golden State to reduce “VMT per capita from 24.6 miles per day in 2019 to 18.4 miles by 2030” and “to 17.2 miles per day by 2045.” California regulators claim this will lead to a 25% reduction in miles driven by 2030 and 30% reduction in miles driven by 2045, respectively.
As I recently noted in the OC Register, California’s climate policies—including this tire tax—invite higher energy costs for its residents. It’s no wonder the Golden State has the second-highest electricity rates and most expensive gasoline prices of any U.S. state.
California needs to pump the brakes on its costly climate policies like this. They invite energy unaffordability and will continue to drive businesses out of the state.