Say Goodbye to Your Favorite Sticky Tires in California

[zumbooruk]

[UPDATE]
It seems that the Autoweek article was alarmist and incomplete and that there is little reason to worry (though I am a black belt worrier)

UHP summer tires are not exempt as competition tires, but they are in the more lenient “ultra-high-performance” category, and are likely already (or will be) compliant (my guess: higher pressure and low/stiff sidewalls)

The definition of “ultra high-performance” section 3302(62) page 37 is W or Y speed symbol, 168 mph or more, and relative wet-grip index of at least 1.45

Section 3306(b) page 56 sets the UHP category at 9.8 N/kN (tires manufactured on or after 1 January 2029) and 8.5 N/kN (tires manufactured on or after 1 January 2033).

https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=271526
[/UPDATE]

The California Energy Commission unanimously approved the Replacement Tire Efficiency Program, the first regulation of its kind in the country. It requires replacement tires sold for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks to meet rolling-resistance standards, a measure of how much energy a tire loses as it rolls. Lower resistance improves gas mileage and extends range for electric vehicles.

https://www.autoweek.com/news/a73499583/low-rolling-resistance-tires-in-california/

https://www.energy.ca.gov/proceeding/replacement-tire-efficiency-program-proceeding

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[RODSCIVIC]

Excluded Specialty Tires
The following tires are excluded from the proposed regulation’s minimum performance standards. Please consult the updated express terms for specific definitions and requirements.

• Competition tires designed for motorsports
• Winter-type snow tires
• All-season winter performance tires
• Used and retreaded tires
• Deep tread tires
• Tires designed for ATVs and other off-road vehicles
• Large off-road tires for use up to 99 mph
• Motorcycle tires
• Temporary-use spare tires
• Small tires with ≤13-inch nominal rim diameter
• Limited production tires (<15,000 per year)
• Tires sold for use on an emergency vehicle
• High load index tires (122 or greater)
• Tires not capable of sustaining speeds over 50 mph
• Space saver tires

I was also all up in arms about this. Still am as the Govt. should stay out of Private Business. However, it seems all our favorite tires will be excluded as they would be considered specialty tires.

Seem like Michelin lobbied for this.....

“California's direction is consistent with Michelin’s all-sustainable and holistic approach for reducing the impact of tires at every stage of the life cycle without compromising safety and other performances that are important to consumers,” said Michelin North America Director of State and Local Government Affairs, Francesca Mosteller. “We support the efficiency goals and believe the proposed thresholds in this rulemaking are technically feasible within the defined timeframes.”

 

[ModJPB]

Just have to notify them of p65 that low rolling resistance tires exposes them to "chemicals that are known by that state of california to cause cancer.“, eventually you guys will be rolling on tires made of hemp and using coconut oil for the engine.

 

[derbo904]

I don't like what they are doing. But @RODSCIVIC is right, there are exemptions.

A competition tire is exempt and classified as:

(11) “Competition tire” means a tire designed for motorsports usage and intended by manufacturers to be fitted to vehicles involved in motorsport competition and


(A) has a tread depth of 8/32 of an inch or less; and


(B) has a speed rating of W, Y, or (Y); and


(C) does not have a UTQG treadwear rating of greater than 200; and


(D) is not classified as an all-season in manufacturer labeling or original equipment fitment programs.

That said, most 200TW tires are exempt but ECS02, PS4S would be on the chopping block.

 

[RODSCIVIC]

I don't like what they are doing. But @RODSCIVIC is right, there are exemptions.

A competition tire is exempt and classified as:




That said, most 200TW tires are exempt but ECS02, PS4S would be on the chopping block.

Since Michelin is involved, I would assume they would do something about PS4S to make them exempt.

 

[zumbooruk]

I wonder how many tires stores will pop up right across the border...

 

[Cueyo]

definitely PRK alright

 

[AZCWTypeR]

Phoenix is Discount Tires corporate headquarters. We like tourists spending $ here, even Californian's!

BTW, I swapped in a set of PS4's on my FR-S and the gas mileage dropped 10% versus the OEM Michelin Prius tires (I was okay with that). Good luck CA.

 

[getRIGHT]

Watched this vid earlier and thought it could add some insight to this topic

 

[J_D]

Love how everyone hates on Cali even though they’re a leader in tech, engineering, environment, and art lmao

 

[0x1d7]

Love how everyone hates on Cali even though they’re a leader in tech, engineering, environment, and art lmao

Nothing generates low IQ clicks like calling the 4th largest capitalist economy a Communist state.

 

[Pekingduck]

I have mix feeling about this. I got new tires for my electric daily and my range drop 10% and bought a brand name tire thinking it would help.

 

[Cueyo]

Love how everyone hates on Cali even though they’re a leader in tech, engineering, environment, and art lmao

My favorite part is when this exact comment is on every vaguely-related California post. I felt like I was getting deja vu for a second ‍‍‍

 

[J_D]

I give these comments tariff free ok

 

[0x1d7]

May all our JPN parts be tariff free in 2029!

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