Mandatory Use of Winter Equipment in Effect, Tires 20 Percent More Expensive Than Last Year

From today until April 14, the mandatory use of winter equipment while driving is in effect. However, as all other products have increased in price since the beginning of this year, winter tires have also become more expensive. Nevertheless, to avoid being excluded from traffic, changing tires is necessary.

‒ Regardless of whether it concerns tires or another assortment, the costs of energy, raw materials, and non-optimal supplier stocks, along with inflation, await decisions from global manufacturers who face significant challenges ‒ stated Tokić, adding that the price increase does not occur in stores, but much earlier.

As they mentioned, although we are witnessing a decline in container transport prices and the first optimistic signs of stabilization, no one can still predict what will happen with prices over the next year.

‒ The burden of price increases is shared by all: manufacturers, distributors, and customers, so the only solution that every driver, as well as every service provider, can adhere to is adaptation ‒ explained Tokić Group.

Research from two online portals in Germany shows that the prices of winter tires have increased by over 20 percent compared to last year. All-season tires have also increased by 16 percent, with the main reasons for the price increase being high prices of oil, gas, and electricity, as well as the fact that until a few months ago, the tire sector received important raw materials for production from Russia and Ukraine.

‒ Along with global initiatives for ecology and sustainability, which have existed for a decade, significant fluctuations in the prices and availability of raw materials and energy have created additional challenges for the economy, which are all the more dramatic due to inflationary pressures ‒ stated Tokić.

And while there seems to be no end to rising prices, equipment for cars must certainly be purchased; in addition to tires, tire replacement services have also become more expensive. Nevertheless, all of this is necessary to ensure safe traffic during the winter season and to avoid penalties.

Penalties will, of course, be imposed from today on everyone who does not have the prescribed winter equipment, as well as on everyone who does not clear frozen windshields before entering traffic. For all those without winter equipment, fines are prescribed from 5,000 to 15,000 kuna.