Starting from November 1st a new European Union regulation takes effect forcing manufacturers to label their tires with information about fuel efficiency, braking in wet roads and the external rolling noise they make. The label, ranked from A (best) to G (worst), will help consumers make better choices when the time arrives to change rubber.
Commissioner Piebalgs said in 2009 that "This is a typical win-win situation where consumers and fleet managers will be able to choose safer and low noise tyres and save on their fuel bills while the European Union as a whole will benefit from reduced road transport emissions." and "Today's technology makes it possible to significantly reduce the tyre share in vehicle fuel consumption allowing a driver to reduce his/her fuel bill by up to 10% between the best and the worst set of tyres available on the market."
Fuel consumption is related to the rolling resistance. By reducing rolling resistance, the tyre consumes less petrol.
Wet grip is one of the most important safety characteristics of a tyre. Tyres with very good wet grip have a shorter braking distance when it rains.
The external noise generated by the tyre is expressed in waves: one black wave is the lowest noise level and three the highest. The aim is to reduce traffic-related noise for communities.
The European Comission also gives three examples on savings you can have if you choose a better tyre.
If you drive a typical passenger car travelling 25000 km per year (10000 km urban, 15000 km inter-urban), you can save fuel costs between €170–€230 per year. As the best performing tyres will be more costly (additional €240–€320), it is in the second year that you will have net savings – between €100 – 140.
If you drive a big passenger car (consumption of 10lit/100km) with high usage (10000 km urban and 25000 km highway per year), you can save even more fuel costs: €450 per year. As the best tyres will be more expensive (additional €240-€320), you will save between €130 and 210 already in the first year.
If you drive a van, used by companies for delivery and transport, which travels 40000 km per year (20000 km urban, 20000 km inter-urban), fuel costs reductions between €290–€360 per year can be achieved. With additional tyres costs of €280–€360, break-even point is already within the course of the first year.
If you drive a big passenger car (consumption of 10lit/100km) with high usage (10000 km urban and 25000 km highway per year), you can save even more fuel costs: €450 per year. As the best tyres will be more expensive (additional €240-€320), you will save between €130 and 210 already in the first year.
If you drive a van, used by companies for delivery and transport, which travels 40000 km per year (20000 km urban, 20000 km inter-urban), fuel costs reductions between €290–€360 per year can be achieved. With additional tyres costs of €280–€360, break-even point is already within the course of the first year.
Source: Michelin and European Comission