From November 1, 2012, replacement tyres for cars, light- and heavy duty vehicles will be required to carry energy efficiency labels.
The regulations were approved by members of the European Parliament last week with the labels expected to follow the familiar “A to G” classification system that is used on European energy labels in a wide range of applications. The most efficient tyres receive an “A” rating and member states will only be allowed to legislate purchasing incentives for tyres with an energy efficiency of “C” or higher.
In addition, the label will provide information about the tyre’s performance in wet conditions, its rolling noise in decibels and will include a “noise pictogram” which indicates the level of external rolling noise by ascending numbers of black “waves” emitted from a speaker symbol. Tyres that produce noise below 68 decibels will be labelled with one black and two white “waves”, for example.
Energy efficient tyres are already well established in North America where they are referred to as low rolling resistance tyres. In 2003, California passed Assembly Bill 844 which requires the adoption and implementation of a tyre energy efficiency programme for replacement tyres for passenger cars and light duty trucks – the programme remains under development.
The new label to be introduced in the EU will not have to be mounted on the tyre – instead, the seller is required to show it to the consumer prior to purchase.
