California Wants Your Next Set of Tires to Save Fuel. But at What Cost?

California is targeting something nearly every driver eventually has to buy: replacement tires. New efficiency standards are putting rolling resistance under the microscope, aiming to reduce the energy vehicles need just to keep moving.

In this TechMobility Topics segment, we examine how tire design can affect fuel economy and EV range, what lower rolling resistance could mean for drivers, and whether efficiency gains translate into meaningful savings at the pump or charging station.

But tires are also where your vehicle meets the road. That raises a bigger question: Can regulators raise tire efficiency without increasing prices, shortening tire life, or compromising traction and safety?