California drivers, business owners ‘in hell’ over new tire regulations

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California drivers just can’t catch a brake.

Golden State motorists and business owners are fuming over fresh regulations set to spike the price of new car tires — saying the new rules will further squeeze drivers already battling sky-high costs.

On Monday, the California Energy Commission unanimously green lit the new rules to phase out the sale of replacement tires that don’t meet the state’s energy-efficiency standards.

The change could potentially wipe out 70% of the tires currently available to California drivers, opponents say — and inflate the cost of an average set by hundreds of dollars.

“I already can’t afford to buy a new set of tires,” said Kenny Cabello, a student from Long Beach who spoke to The California Post as he wiped down his pickup truck at a local car wash Tuesday. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”   

Cabello said he needs a new set of tires for his Nissan soon. As a regular commuter who feels the pinch of California’s highest-in-the-nation gas prices, he’s already been researching the most fuel-efficient options.

“Some brands say they’ll save you a couple of miles per gallon on the highway,” he said. “But I’ve also talked to buddies, and they say it doesn’t really make a difference.”  

Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom have trumpeted estimates saying the new rules would save drivers $1 billion a year.

But that was contradicted by state testimony given by tire industry leaders, who said that actual price increases could reach several hundred dollars by the 2030s.

According to the Tire Industry Association, average tire prices could increase from $81 to up to $157. If someone purchased four new tires for his or her car, the difference could exceed $300 per vehicle.

Miguel Santana, owner of M and M Tires in Long Beach, told the Post the higher costs are going to hurt his business.

“It’s gonna be rough,” said Santana, a 15-year veteran of the tire business who runs the shop with his dad and sister.

“Eighty percent of customers coming in just want the cheapest tires available. Some of them will hear the price of a new tire, and they’ll get scared off.”

Santana said that higher prices of new tires will compel many buyers to buy used, since previously owned tired costs about half the price of new one.

Other buyers will put off buying tires for as long as possible, he and other shop owners said, hurting sales at a time when many such tire businesses are already struggling.

Rance Hamilton, a forklift operator from Long Beach, said car costs are already hitting his wallet. If tire prices rise, he’ll delay purchasing replacements as long as possible and buy used ones when the time finally comes.

“Tires are really expensive and auto work is really expensive,” said Hamilton. “Everything is going to hell.”

Goodyear’s Brad Gladfelty said the tire industry’s opposition to the new rules isn’t an argument against tire efficiency, but a question of whether regulators have adequately demonstrated that the move will actually be cost-effective for consumers.

“The record does not support the conclusion that [the rules] will reduce overall consumer costs,” read a letter Gladfelty sent to the California Energy Commission on July 27.

U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association spokeswoman Kim Kleine said other big tire makers aren’t sold on the new rules, either.

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“Significant concerns remain, including replacement tire compatibility and consistent enforcement that protects consumers and supports fair competition,” Kleine said. “We urge the Commission to resolve these concerns before implementation.”

Officials say the rules will make replacement tires at least as energy-efficient, on average, as the tires originally installed on new cars and trucks.

The first phase begins in 2029, when replacement tires will have to meet a maximum rolling-resistance level of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. That threshold drops to 7.2 in 2033.

The CEC estimates drivers could save $79 in gas or electricity costs within four months under the first phase phrase of the regulations, and about $153 within seven months under the second.

“These regulations are a tool within our authority that can save money for every Californian,” said Commissioner Nancy Skinner.