Tyre fuel efficiency classes
The fuel efficiency class on the EU tyre label measures rolling resistance: the energy a tyre loses as it flexes on the road. Lower resistance means less fuel, or more range on an electric car.
How it is measured
The rolling resistance coefficient is the force needed to roll the tyre, in kilograms per tonne of load. For car tyres, class A means at most 6.5 kg/t, B 6.6–7.7, C 7.8–9.0, D 9.1–10.5 and E 10.6 or more.
What it is worth in fuel
For a 1,500 kg petrol car driven 15,000 km a year, using the middle of each class range:
| Class | Share of car tyres | Extra fuel vs class A | Extra per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2% | — | — |
| B | 9% | +0.15 L/100 km | ≈ 23 L |
| C | 50% | +0.32 L/100 km | ≈ 47 L |
| D | 36% | +0.50 L/100 km | ≈ 75 L |
| E | 3% | +0.66 L/100 km | ≈ 99 L |
A full set of class E tyres uses about 0.66 L/100 km more than class A, about 99 litres a year. One class step is roughly 0.15–0.18 L/100 km. Small per kilometre, but it adds up over the life of a set of tyres.
How common each class is
Class A is rare on car tyres: only 2% of registrations. Most tyres are C (50%) or D (36%). Low rolling resistance usually costs something elsewhere, often wet grip, so tyres rated A in both are uncommon (1,825 registrations).
How to choose
Fuel efficiency matters most if you drive long distances, or on an electric car where it directly affects range. Do not give up wet grip for it: the safety difference between wet grip classes is larger than the fuel difference between efficiency classes. On every size page you can see both side by side, for example 205/55 R16.