Source: Cindy Skrzycki, Washington Post ( Free Registration )

As Americans try to squeeze every last mile out of a gallon of gasoline, one regulatory option hasn’t been given much of a road test: telling consumers the fuel efficiency of their tires.

Now, as gas prices have hit $4 a gallon and more, the idea of reducing tire “rolling resistance” to improve vehicle gas mileage is gaining traction. After 12 years of blocking any such standard, Congress has ordered a consumer information program by next year to inform buyers on what to expect from tires on fuel economy.

The $34 billion tire industry was long divided on the issue. Michelin North America has favored a standard and has started running ads extolling the gas-saving virtues of its tires. Other manufacturers lobbied Congress to block any rule requiring that tires be labeled to indicate their fuel efficiency. 

Read Full Article: Shifting to a greener attitude on tire ratings