Supply and demand

California regulators have approved new tire efficiency standards aimed at reducing rolling resistance, the energy a tire loses as it moves. The California Energy Commission says the rules will phase out roughly 70 percent of tires currently sold in the state by 2033, pushing consumers toward lower-resistance tires that improve fuel and electric vehicle efficiency.

Commission chairman David Hochschild framed the policy as consumer protection, arguing it will lower long-term costs by cutting fuel and energy use. Tire manufacturers and commission staff dispute how the rules will affect prices, though both sides agree a large share of tires now on the market will no longer be sold in California. Critics warn reduced tire supply will drive up prices in a state that already has high costs of living, while supporters point to potential savings on fuel over time. Governor Gavin Newsom's office has touted the policy as a cost-saving measure, a claim opponents dispute. The rules add to a broader debate over California's regulatory approach to energy and consumer products.