California becomes first US state to set efficiency rules for replacement tires

Regulations that would block sale of older tires praised by environmental groups amid rightwing backlash

California has become the first state in the nation to mandate that replacement tires be energy efficient, a major auto industry regulation set to block the sale of older tires and make vehicles on the road greener.

State regulators have said the new rules will reduce emissions and drivers' fuel costs. But the rules - which come as the Trump administrations fights to block other California restrictions to promote greener cars - have already sparked a rightwing backlash, with one conservative news outlet calling the policies a massive overreach".