You're listening to the European Parliamentary Research Service podcast on the new

Tire Labelling Rules.

Many of us own a car, some may even be coming back from a summer road trip, but how many

know how well their tires perform on wet or extremely hot roads, or how much noise they make?

The answer is not many, but this may change soon if the new EU rules on tire labeling go ahead.

Want to know more? Stay with us.

Did you know that road transport accounts for over a fifth of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions and the tyres account

for 20 to 30% of a vehicle's fuel consumption. This means that more fuel-efficient tires could

significantly reduce energy consumption in the EU. That's correct. And this is why in May 2018,

the European Commission proposed new rules on tyre labelling as part of a broader

package of measures on low carbon mobility. The idea is to give consumers more information on fuel

efficiency, safety and noise when they buy tyres and to ensure that labels provide accurate,

relevant and comparable information on these aspects. The Commission hopes this will help

improve the effectiveness of tyre labelling

so as to ensure cleaner, safer and quieter vehicles

and to maximise the label's contribution to the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

Since 2005, energy consumption and transport has declined far less than in other key sectors.

And with passenger transport expected to increase by over 40% by 2050,

improving fuel efficiency in the EU transport sector has become a top priority for the EU,

which is seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 40% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Next to increasing consumer awareness of tire labelling,

the proposed new rules also seek to improve market surveillance

...