California approves first US tire efficiency standards, projecting $1 billion in annual driver savings

California's Energy Commission unanimously approved the nation's first energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires, covering passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. The CEC projects the rules will save drivers nearly $1 billion yearly in fuel costs and cut 2 million metric tons of CO₂ annually — equivalent to removing roughly 400,000 gasoline cars. Phase-in begins 2029; full effect by 2033.