Chapter 8.7Replacement Tire Efficiency Program

Section § 25770

Explanation

This section defines terms related to the management of replacement tires in California. The 'Board' refers to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. 'Consumer information requirement' is about easy-to-understand information at the point of sale, but it doesn't mean labels on the tires themselves. 'Cost effective' describes when the savings a consumer gets from using an energy-efficient replacement tire meets or exceeds the extra cost of that tire, considering fuel savings during its life.

'Replacement tire' is a tire meant to replace those that come with new cars or light trucks, but it doesn't include certain types of tires like those produced in low volumes, snow tires, small diameter tires, motorcycle tires, or off-road vehicle tires.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(a) “Board” means the California Integrated Waste Management Board established pursuant to Division 30 (commencing with Section 40000).
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(b) “Consumer information requirement” means point-of-sale information or signs that are conspicuously displayed, readily accessible, and written in a manner that can be easily understood by the consumer. “Consumer information requirement” does not include mandatory labeling, imprinting, or other marking, on an individual tire by the tire manufacturer or the tire retailer.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(c) “Cost effective” means the cost savings to the consumer resulting from a replacement tire subject to an energy efficiency standard that equals or exceeds the additional cost to the consumer resulting from the standard, taking into account the expected fuel cost savings over the expected life of the replacement tire.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d) “Replacement tire” means a tire sold in the state that is designed to replace a tire sold with a new passenger car or light-duty truck. “Replacement tire” does not include any of the following tires:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d)(1) A tire or group of tires with the same SKU, plant, and year, for which the volume of tires produced or imported is less than 15,000 annually.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d)(2) A deep tread, winter-type snow tire, a space-saver tire, or a temporary use spare tire.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d)(3) A tire with a nominal rim diameter of 12 inches or less.
(4)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d)(4) A motorcycle tire.
(5)CA Public Resources Code § 25770(d)(5) A tire manufactured specifically for use in an off-road motorized recreational vehicle.
California Integrated Waste Management Board consumer information requirement point-of-sale information energy efficiency standard cost effective replacement tire fuel cost savings replacement tire definition tire sales exclusions snow tire space-saver tire temporary use spare tire motorcycle tire off-road motorized recreational vehicle tire small production tire exemptions
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Section § 25771

Explanation

This law required the commission, by July 1, 2006, to create a way to measure and report the energy efficiency of replacement tires sold in the state. First, they had to develop a database that evaluates the energy efficiency of a sample of these tires using certain test procedures. Based on this data, they needed to create a rating system to help consumers understand tire efficiency when buying tires. Finally, tire manufacturers must report the energy efficiency of their tires to the commission using these procedures and ratings.

On or before July 1, 2006, the commission shall develop and adopt all of the following:
(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25771(a) A database of the energy efficiency of a representative sample of replacement tires sold in the state, based on test procedures adopted by the commission.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25771(b) Based on the data collected pursuant to subdivision (a), a rating system for the energy efficiency of replacement tires sold in the state, that will enable consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing tires for their vehicles.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25771(c) Based on the test procedures adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) and the rating system established pursuant to subdivision (b), requirements for tire manufacturers to report to the commission the energy efficiency of replacement tires sold in the state.
energy efficiency replacement tires tire ratings consumer information tire testing procedures tire energy performance database of tire efficiency tire manufacturers reporting commission requirements tire purchasing decisions
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Section § 25772

Explanation

By July 1, 2007, a commission, working with a board, must create a program to check that replacement tires sold in California are just as energy-efficient, on average, as the original tires on new cars and light trucks. This program needs to be running by July 1, 2008.

On or before July 1, 2007, the commission, in consultation with the board, shall, after appropriate notice and workshops, adopt and, on or before July 1, 2008, implement, a tire energy efficiency program of statewide applicability for replacement tires, designed to ensure that replacement tires sold in the state are at least as energy efficient, on average, as tires sold in the state as original equipment on new passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
tire energy efficiency replacement tires original equipment tires energy efficiency standards passenger cars light-duty trucks statewide applicability commission oversight implementation deadline energy efficient tires
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Section § 25773

Explanation

This section outlines requirements for a program that includes creating and adopting energy efficiency standards for replacement tires. These standards must be feasible, cost-effective, and not negatively impact tire safety, lifespan, or state scrap tire management efforts. The commission must also develop consumer information requirements for these replacement tires.

The standards should be based on laboratory testing and on-road fleet testing by tire manufacturers, submitted by January 1, 2006. If emergency vehicles can't meet these standards, exceptions are allowed. The commission will review and update the program at least every three years without reducing tire efficiency.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a) The program described in Section 25772 shall include all of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(1) The development and adoption of minimum energy efficiency standards for replacement tires, except to the extent that the commission determines that it is unable to do so in a manner that complies with subparagraphs (A) to (E), inclusive. Energy efficiency standards adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall meet all of the following conditions:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(1)(A) Be technically feasible and cost effective.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(1)(B) Not adversely affect tire safety.
(C)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(1)(C) Not adversely affect the average tire life of replacement tires.
(D)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(1)(D) Not adversely affect state efforts to manage scrap tires pursuant to Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 42860) of Part 3 of Division 30.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(a)(2) The development and adoption of consumer information requirements for replacement tires for which standards have been adopted pursuant to paragraph (1).
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(b) The energy efficiency standards established pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall be based on the results of laboratory testing and, to the extent it is available and deemed appropriate by the commission, an onroad fleet testing program developed by tire manufacturers in consultation with the commission and the board, conducted by tire manufacturers, and submitted to the commission on or before January 1, 2006.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(c) If the commission finds that tires used to equip an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165 of the Vehicle Code, are unable to meet the standards established pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the commission shall authorize an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle fleet to purchase for those vehicles tires that do not meet those standards.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 25773(d) The commission, in consultation with the board, shall review and revise the program, including any standards adopted pursuant to the program, as necessary, but not less than once every three years. The commission may not revise the program or standards in a way that reduces the average efficiency of replacement tires.
energy efficiency standards replacement tires consumer information requirements tire safety tire lifespan scrap tire management laboratory testing on-road fleet testing emergency vehicle tires tire manufacturers program review and revision technically feasible cost-effective standards commission consultation tire efficiency
(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.)