Ahead of the European Commission’s “Implementation Dialogue on Energy Efficient Product Legislation,” the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has released a new analysis conducted by Lizeo, reviewing more than one million tyre labels recorded across the EU and EFTA between 2012 and 2023.

Introduced in 2012 and updated in 2021, the EU tyre label was designed to help consumers and fleet operators compare tyres based on safety and fuel efficiency. High-performing tyres can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 4 million tonnes per year and improve road safety, cutting stopping distances by up to four car lengths, according to the European Commission.

However, ETRMA’s findings show that despite the label’s intent, the fastest-growing market segment remains the lowest-performing — budget tyres. On average, tyres sold in the EU still rank “D” for rolling resistance (fuel efficiency) and “C” for wet grip, highlighting a gap between available technology and consumer choices.

ETRMA Secretary General Adam McCarthy noted that awareness and use of the label remain limited. “The EU tyre label is meant to steer choices towards best-performing tyres,” he said. “Yet not enough consumers are aware of or use the label to guide their choice. The next step is complementary strategies that act on price, cost of use, and incentives, while keeping the label itself simple and credible.”

ETRMA is calling on the European Union and Member States to introduce incentives and procurement policies that favor high-performing tyres based on label ratings. Such measures, the association argues, would help reward innovation, reduce emissions, and accelerate the market shift toward more energy-efficient tyres.

More information about ETRMA’s report and policy recommendations is available on the association’s website.