Studded Tires Prohibited As Of April 15

As of April 15, studded tires are not permitted on the streets of Reykjavík, according to a statement from the City.

A survey, conducted in March, revealed that 40 percent of vehicles in the city were using studded tires and 60 percent non-studded ones.

“The ratio of studded tires is lower than it was at the same time last year and in 2020,” the statement reads. “Thus, the ratio is decreasing, but we must do better than this, since quality winter tires usually work better than studded tires in Reykjavík. In addition, studded tires negatively impact air quality, and they wear away our streets fast.

“Studded tires are the leading cause of small particle pollution in the capital area.”

The City quotes Þorsteinn Jóhannsson, specialist at the Environmental Agency, who at a conference in March stated, “A car with studded tires pollutes up to 40 times as much as a car with non-studded tires.  Note that I said 40 times as much, not 40 percent more, but 2,000 percent more.”

“The fact is that studded tires increase the maintenance cost of streets in Reykjavík by damaging pavement at a multiple rate, compared with other tires,” the statement from the City continues. “They increase the fuel cost of cars, cause unnecessary noise, and reduce air quality by polluting. Therefore, it is essential to reduce their ratio.

“Right now, it is essential to change tires and install summer tires. In doing so, you will reduce fuel costs,” the statement concludes.

In Iceland, studded tires are prohibited April 15 through October 31.