From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released revised replacement tire regulations that delay implementation and provide new flexibility for several specialty tire categories.
- The revisions are meaningful and address several technical and specialty-product concerns raised by SEMA and its coalition partners. However, many of the coalition's broader concerns remain unresolved, meaning our work continues on this issue.
The proposal would move the first phase of the standards by one year to 2029 and the second phase by two years to 2033. It would also exempt competition tires, qualifying all-season winter tires, tires with rim diameters of 13 inches or less and large off-road tires measuring at least 34.5 in. in overall diameter with a speed rating of Q or lower.
Run-flat tires would receive more flexible standards, and the CEC revised testing procedures for light-truck and commercial tires. The updated language also broadens the long-life and ultra-long-life tire categories and establishes clearer testing tolerances and enforcement procedures.
- The proposed regulation stems from a 2003 law directing the CEC to develop a program intended to make replacement tires, on average, as energy efficient as tires installed on new vehicles. The CEC says the standards will reduce rolling resistance, lower fuel and electricity use, and cut emissions while maintaining wet-grip performance.
Remaining Concerns
SEMA continues to see significant issues with the proposal, even after the favorable revisions. The CEC has not provided a new economic analysis or market data supporting its claim that compliant tires will cost consumers only slightly more. As written, the mandate will raise tire prices and reduce the number of affordable options available to California drivers. Rather than allowing consumers to balance cost, efficiency, traction and tread life based on their own needs, the proposal would restrict that choice by mandating performance standards.
SEMA and its coalition partners will continue working with the CEC to build on the positive changes while seeking stronger protections for consumers, small businesses, and access to affordable tire choices. The revised language triggers a new public comment period, with comments due by 10:00 a.m. PDT on August 3, 2026.
If you have any questions or are interested in supporting the effort, contact SEMA Senior Director for State Government Affairs Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock | LeManna
