Chapter 8.7 - Replacement Tire Efficiency Program

California Public Resources Code — §§ 25770-25773

Sections (4)

Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a)“Board” means the California Integrated Waste Management Board established pursuant to Division 30 (commencing with Section 40000).

(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)“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)“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)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)A deep tread, winter-type snow tire, a space-saver tire, or a temporary use spare tire.

(3)A tire with a nominal rim diameter of 12 inches or less.

(4)A motorcycle tire.

(5)A tire manufactured specifically for use in an off-road motorized recreational vehicle.

§ 25771

Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.

On or before July 1, 2006, the commission shall develop and adopt all of the following:

(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)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)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.

§ 25772

Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.

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.

§ 25773

Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 645, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2004.

(a)The program described in Section 25772 shall include all of the following:

(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)Be technically feasible and cost effective.

(B)Not adversely affect tire safety.

(C)Not adversely affect the average tire life of replacement tires.

(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)The development and adoption of consumer information requirements for replacement tires for which standards have been adopted pursuant to paragraph (1).

(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)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)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.