Transportation News

BOSTON—If the legislature passes a new bill introduced this session, Massachusetts drivers would soon see some savings on their gas costs, if not lower prices at the pump. A new report released today by MASSPIRG, the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, found that Massachusetts drivers would save $267 million in 2010 through getting more efficient tires on cars and trucks.

"Right now, cars come off the lot with tires that actually use less gas, but after original tires wear out, replacement tires don't meet those standards," said Hathaway Fiocchi, MASSPIRG's transportation associate. "Your average replacement tire is 20% less fuel efficient than an original equipment tire, making your car or light duty truck 4% less fuel efficient overall. HD 2381, the Gas-Saving Tires bill, (Rep. Carron-Southbridge) would establish standards for the fuel efficiency of all tires sold in Massachusetts, and would save Massachusetts drivers bundles of money and cut tons of global warming pollution emissions from cars and trucks."

MASSPIRG's report, "When the Rubber Hits the Road: Saving gas and money with better tires," finds that a gas-saving tires program would reduce Massachusetts' gasoline consumption by 130 million gallons a year by 2015. That translates into drivers saving $293 million dollars in gasoline costs a year (assuming a $2.25/gallon price) by 2015. Such a reduction also means that Massachusetts would reduce the annual amount of global warming pollution that cars and trucks emit into the air by nearly 3 billion pounds by 2015.

Representative Mark J. Carron, the sponsor of the Gas-Saving Tires bill, says the bill will help commuters and those who are dependent on their cars. "The price for a gallon of gasoline is more than $2 for the first time in Massachusetts' history," Rep. Carron says, "And, our air quality is ranked among the worst in the nation. We must embrace technologies and policies that will strengthen our energy independence, save drivers money, and protect public health-the Gas-Saving Tires bill is a step in that direction."

"The high price of gasoline, the instability of the Middle East, and national security issues have heightened our awareness of the dangers of our dependence on foreign oil. Inaction in Washington provides opportunities for states like Massachusetts to show we can lead the way in forging energy independence. This should be one of the easiest bills for the legislature to pass this session; it is a step towards energy independence, it saves the people of Massachusetts money and it benefits the environment-it's a win-win-win situation," Fiocchi said.