Brickbat: Burning Rubber
(NomadSoul/Newscom Illustration: NomadSoul/Newscom/California Energy Commission)
The California Energy Commission (CEC) unanimously approved new tire-efficiency rules that are expected to ban about 70 percent of the replacement tires currently sold in California by 2033. The rules limit the rolling resistance of replacement tires, which the commission says will improve fuel efficiency and save drivers money on gasoline and electricity. The first requirements take effect in 2029, followed by stricter standards in 2033. The CEC estimates the rules could save each motorist hundreds of dollars per year, but tire manufacturers warn that it will increase tire prices and reduce consumer choice.