Energy labels are a piece of information that consumers can use to purchase the right tyres for their vehicle. They inform the buyer about the performance of the tyres in terms of rolling resistance, external rolling noise and braking on wet roads. The labels are then used to classify the level of performance, but also to encourage manufacturers to design more efficient, safer and quieter models.

Tyre performance classification

In order to categorise tyres and their performance, there are 3 energy labels:

• The energy efficiency class ranges from A to G (from most efficient to least efficient), it allows the user to determine the rolling resistance of the tyre and therefore its energy requirements. The less resistance a tyre has to rolling and the less energy is required to move the vehicle, thus saving money.
• The wet grip class, which also ranges from A to G, determines the braking distance in wet conditions
• The noise class of the external bearing from A to B determines the noise level outside the vehicle, from highest to lowest. Tyres with a noise level of class C are no longer currently authorized.

What does the law say about the energy label?

The obligation to offer car and van tyres with labels on the European market is laid out in Regulation (EC) No 1222/2009. It will be reviewed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2020/740 from 1 May 2021, in view of the new requirements coming into force. These will concern trucks and buses as well.

This regulation provides that, in addition to the standard label, a symbol informing individuals about the tyre's grip in extreme snow and ice conditions can be placed on the tyres. Thus, the labelling options increase to 4. Tyres suitable for extreme snow conditions display the alpine symbol (snowflake on background of three-peak mountain), while Nordic winter tyres display the mountain symbol with ice.

In addition, the new energy symbols also make it clearer that fuel efficiency applies to both internal combustion vehicles as well as electric vehicles. The noise performance class shall always be indicated on the lower part, with the noise level in decibels.

The new regulation also stipulates a ban on tyres whose rolling resistance and wet wet are of classes F and G, reducing the scale of values to 5 classes (A to E instead of A to G).

Finally, the performance of tyres displaying the 5 parameters will be evaluated by standardised tests and national authorities may carry out their own checks. It will even be possible to obtain additional information from the European Commission's database using a QR code.

It should be noted that Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 on the general safety of motor vehicles sets out the minimum efficiency requirements for the ecodesign of tyres.

Correspondence between the old and new generation of energy labels :