The California Air Resources Board has issued Regulatory Advisory Mail-Out MSC# 12-26 to explain how the low rolling resistance tire requirements of the regulation will be implemented for (1) tractors that use 2 or more open shoulder drive tires and (2) 2011 and newer model year tractors and trailers that use retreaded tires.
The regulation requires tractors that use two or more open shoulder drive tires to use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires by January 1, 2013. This advisory clarifies that tractors using new non-SmartWay open shoulder drive tires that were manufactured prior to January 1, 2013, can continue to use those tires for the useful life of that tread, or until January 1, 2015, whichever comes first. Any new open shoulder drive tire manufactured after January 1, 2013, must be a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tire. This advisory also clarifies that tractors using non-SmartWay open shoulder retreaded tires manufactured prior to January 1, 2014, to continue to use those tires for the useful life of that tread, or until January 1, 2016, whichever comes first. Any open shoulder retreaded drive tire retreaded after January 1, 2014, must be capped with a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance retread material on any casing.
The regulation requires 2011 model year and newer tractors and trailers to use SmartWay verified low rolling resistance tires beginning January 1, 2010. This advisory clarifies that 2011 model year and newer tractors and trailers using retreaded tires comprised of SmartWay casing capped with any retread material prior to January 1, 2013, can continue to use those tires for the useful life of the tread or until January 1, 2015 for tractors and January 1, 2017 for trailers, whichever comes first. Any tire retreaded after January 1, 2013 must be capped with a SmartWay verified low rolling resistance retread material on any casing.
Background
The Tractor-Trailer GHG Regulation (regulation) applies to 53-foot or longer dry van or refrigerated van trailers (box-type trailers) and the tractors that pull them on California highways.
The regulation requires tractor-trailers operating in California to use tractors and box-type trailers that utilize certain aerodynamic equipment and low rolling resistance tires, as verified by the U.S. EPA SmartWay program, to meet specified fuel efficiency improvements.
For further information about the regulation, advisories, training, outreach efforts, compliance tools, or the full text of the Tractor-Trailer GHG Regulation, please visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/truckstop.htm or http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hdghg/hdghg.htm or call 866 6DIESEL (866 634-3735), or email us at [email protected].
