US tyre industry opposes Connecticut tyre efficiency bill

Hartford, Connecticut - Three major tyre and automotive aftermarket associations are voicing strong opposition to proposed legislation in Connecticut that would mandate a statewide program to ensure that replacement tyres for cars and light trucks are as fuel-efficient as original equipment tyres.

The bill is similar but not identical to legislation that became law in California two years ago, and to a bill proposed but never passed in Massachusetts. The California Energy Commission is already performing testing to judge the feasibility of a tyre fuel efficiency standard, and the National Academy of Sciences report on the issue could be ready as early as next month, said a spokesman for the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

"It makes no sense for Connecticut to repeat that effort, or - even worse - to come up with a parallel, similar bill that makes further demands on the tire industry," the RMA spokesman said.

Also opposing the Connecticut bill are the Tire Industry Association and the Specialty Equipment Market Association.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)