New Car Fuel Consumption & Emission Figures

This page was last updated on 8th January 2021

Tyre Labelling

Tyres account for 20-30% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption, due to their rolling resistance. Decreasing rolling resistance is therefore important to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of rolling resistance there is a 7.5% loss of fuel economy between best and worst class for a full set of tyres fitted to an average car.

Using tyres only with the best external rolling noise class in the EU can reduce noise-related health impacts.  Current United Nation regulations require all type approved C1 (car), C2 (van) and C3 (lorry and bus) tyres to have maximum noise limits between 70 and 77 Db (A) depending on the tyre type.

Since November 2012, the EU tyre labelling regulation has required tyre manufacturers and tyre distributors to display a consumer information label on all C1, C2 and C3 tyres. The Tyre Labelling Regulation ranks tyres on a scale from ‘A’ (best) to ‘G’ (worst) on both fuel efficiency and wet grip, whereas external rolling noise is shown as a measured value and a three-step scale. The label design is based on that from the Energy Labelling Directive for energy related products, since this design is well known by consumers.

The objective of this regulation is to increase the safety and the environmental and economic efficiency of road transport by promoting fuel-efficient and safe tyres with low noise levels. This regulation aims to allow end-users to make more informed choices when purchasing tyres by considering this information along with other factors normally considered during the purchasing decision process.