The EU Tyre Label Explained

Buy a car tyre anywhere in the European Union and it comes with a small label that looks a lot like the energy label on a fridge. Since 1 May 2021, that label has followed Regulation (EU) 2020/740, which replaced the older 2009 rules. Here is what each part means, and what it does not tell you.

Which tyres carry the label

The regulation applies to C1, C2 and C3 tyres placed on the market. In plain terms, the regulation’s classes cover cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers. The classes are defined in Regulation (EC) No 661/2009.

Some tyres are excluded, including:

• professional off-road tyres
• tyres for vehicles first registered before 1 October 1990
• temporary-use spare tyres (T-type)
• tyres with a speed rating below 80 km/h
• tyres for rims of 254 mm or smaller, or 635 mm or larger
• studded tyres
• tyres designed only for racing
• second-hand tyres, unless they are imported from outside the EU

Motorcycle tyres are not C1, C2 or C3 tyres, so you will not find this label on them.

The top of the label: who, what, and the QR code

The upper part shows the supplier’s name or trademark, the tyre type identifier, and the tyre size with its load index and speed symbol. There is also a QR code. Scanning it takes you to the tyre’s entry in EPREL, the European Product Database for Energy Labelling, where you can see the full product information sheet.

Fuel efficiency: A to E

The fuel pump symbol rates rolling resistance on five classes, from A to E. Class A has the lowest rolling resistance, so less of the engine’s effort is spent flexing the tyre and more goes into moving the car. For electric cars, the same idea applies to driving range.

What the class does not tell you is how much fuel you will actually save. That depends on the car, how you drive, and keeping the tyres at the right pressure. Pirelli’s guide to the label puts it plainly: fuel savings depend heavily on driver behaviour.

Wet grip: A to E

The rain cloud symbol rates braking grip on wet roads, again from A to E. Class A tyres have the highest wet braking grip. If you drive a lot in the rain, this is the class to look at first.

Wet grip and rolling resistance pull against each other in tyre design, so it is worth looking at both rather than chasing an A in one alone.

External rolling noise: a number and three classes

The loudspeaker symbol gives the noise the tyre makes outside the car, in decibels (dB(A)), rounded to the nearest whole number. It is grouped into three classes, A, B and C, with A the quietest. This measures noise for people outside the car, not what you hear in the cabin.

Snow and ice symbols

Two extra symbols can appear at the bottom of the label.

• The snow symbol (a three-peak mountain with a snowflake) means the tyre meets the minimum snow grip index set in UNECE Regulation No 117, so it is classed as a tyre for use in severe snow conditions.
• The ice symbol means it meets the ice grip requirements. Ice grip tyres are designed for roads covered with ice and compacted snow and are meant for very severe conditions. Pirelli notes that using them in milder conditions, such as wet roads or warmer temperatures, can mean sub-optimal wet grip, handling and wear.

A tyre can carry neither, one, or both.

What the label does not cover

The label leaves out dry grip, handling, tread life, comfort and how the tyre performs when it is worn. Independent tyre tests and the vehicle maker’s recommended sizes are still worth checking.

FAQ

What does the EU tyre label show?

It shows the supplier, size and load and speed rating, a QR code linking to the EU’s EPREL product database, a fuel efficiency class from A to E, a wet grip class from A to E, and external rolling noise in decibels with a class from A to C. Snow and ice grip symbols appear if the tyre qualifies.

Is an A-rated tyre always better?

Not on everything. A fuel efficiency A means the lowest rolling resistance, and a wet grip A means the best wet braking in the test. The label does not rate dry grip, handling or tread life, so a tyre that is A in one class can be ordinary elsewhere. Compare both classes together.

Do motorcycle tyres have the EU tyre label?

No. Regulation (EU) 2020/740 applies to C1, C2 and C3 tyres, the classes used for cars, vans, buses and trucks, so motorcycle tyres do not carry this label. Look at the size, load index and speed rating on the sidewall instead.