Less efficient tyres will be banned in Europe

From 1 November 2018, the European Union prohibits the sale of passenger car and light truck tyres that are less efficient, with an F rating for rolling resistance, although there is a 30-month grace period to clear existing stock.

We have already explained the importance of the tyre label that came into force in 2012 in this article: Tyre labels: key to choosing your next tyres. If you know how to read the label, you have a tool for comparing one tyre with another, which can help you when buying, in deciding whether to prioritise energy efficiency, grip or the noise level they generate.

Now there is news on this front. From 1 November 2018, the sale in the European Union of passenger car and light truck tyres that are less efficient is prohibited. Where is the cut-off? In class “F” for rolling resistance, and in class “E” for light truck tyres with a rolling resistance coefficient above 9. In 2014, a similar regulation came into force, which removed from the European market tyres rated G for efficiency and F for wet grip on asphalt.

That said, tyres in these categories that are already in stock at workshops and dealers may be sold from this date for a maximum period of 30 months.

Rolling resistance, responsible for 20% of consumption

If your car currently has tyres rated F on the label, you will have no problem continuing to drive on them, nor at the MOT/ITV inspection. Their use is permitted; what is prohibited is their sale from 1 November of this year.

The rolling resistance (efficiency) rating on the label runs from class A, the most efficient, to class G, the least efficient. It is estimated that the difference in fuel consumption between tyres rated at these two extremes can amount to as much as 0.5 l/100 km. In euros, that means savings for the user of over 300 euros over the full life of the tyres.

Now, to improve the value the label can offer consumers, as some tyre manufacturers such as Michelin propose, the label should take into account not only the performance of tyres when new, but also when they wear down.

More information of interest:

How to check tyre wear and avoid fines
Tyres and the new ITV inspection
Cheap tyres vs premium tyres