From 1 May 2021, the new EU regulation 2020/740 has transformed the label into an interactive digital tool: by scanning the EPREL QR code, motorists can verify the authenticity of the data in real time and access complete tests that reveal hidden tire performance.
In an era where a liter of petrol costs well over 1.80 euros, choosing class A tires instead of class E can translate into a concrete saving of over 200 euros per year, not to mention the 18 meters less braking distance which could make the difference between a thrill and a tragedy.
In the next lines of our article, thanks also to some information provided to us by the experts at Norauto, one of the leading companies in Italy in the sale of tires online, we will see in detail everything you should know to read the label correctly and choose all-season tires for your car.
European tire label: the digital revolution of 2021
The new European tire label, which came into force on 1 May 2021 with EU regulation 2020/740, represents much more than a simple graphic update.
The most revolutionary change concerns the introduction of the QR code in the upper right corner, which connects each tire to the EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labeling) database, a public digital archive where consumers can verify the authenticity of the information declared by the manufacturer.
The classification scale has been simplified from 7 to 5 classes (from A to E), eliminating the F and G classes for rolling resistance and wet grip, while the tires previously in class E have been repositioned in the new class D.
Each tire must now carry a unique identifier that allows complete traceability of the product, from the production process to the point of sale, ensuring total transparency for the consumer.
The label includes mandatory information such as the manufacturer’s name, tire size, load and speed index, and vehicle class (C1 for cars, C2 for vans, C3 for trucks and buses).
How to use the EPREL database: the practical guide to the QR code
The EPREL database represents an epochal turning point in the transparency of the tire market, offering immediate access to information that was previously available only to professionals.
By scanning the QR code with any smartphone, you instantly access the complete technical data sheet of the tyre, containing all the results of the tests carried out according to the UN ECE R117 regulation, including data not visible on the physical label such as cornering performance and resistance to aquaplaning.
The EPREL system allows you to compare up to 10 tires simultaneously, displaying comparative graphs for each parameter and automatically calculating the annual economic savings based on your kilometers travelled.
Particularly useful is the authenticity verification function: by entering the tire identification code, the system confirms whether the physical label corresponds to the officially registered data, protecting consumers from counterfeit or modified labels.
From 2025, the database also includes a section dedicated to tires for electric vehicles, with specific parameters such as optimized rolling resistance to maximize battery range and reduced noise levels to compensate for the absence of engine noise.
Energy efficiency: real savings in euros in 2025
The energy efficiency class is no longer just an abstract number but translates into tangible savings which, with current fuel prices, can completely offset the cost of premium tyres.
A set of class A tires consumes up to 0.5 liters less per 100 km compared to class E, which on an average mileage of 15,000 km per year means saving around 75 liters of petrol, equivalent to over 140 euros at current prices of 1.85 euros per litre.
The difference between adjacent classes is approximately 0.1 litres/100 km: switching from class C to class B tires results in an annual saving of approximately 28 euros, while the jump from B to A is worth another 35 euros in fuel savings.
For electric vehicles, rolling resistance directly affects range: Class A tires can extend the range by up to 7% more than Class E, translating into around 30km extra on a car with 400km of claimed range.
Tests show that rolling resistance contributes approximately 20% to the vehicle’s total fuel consumption, making the choice of efficient tires the second most important factor after driving style for reducing running costs.
Wet grip: the 18 meters that save your life
Wet grip (Wet Grip Index) represents the most critical parameter for safety, measuring the tire’s ability to maintain control in conditions of heavy rain or wet asphalt.
The difference between a class A tire (WGI above 1.55) and a class E (WGI below 1.09) translates into 18 meters less braking distance at 80 km/h, equivalent to more than three lengths of an average car.
Between adjacent classes the difference is approximately 3-4 metres: a class B tire requires on average 12 meters more than class A to stop completely, while from C to B the gap is another 3.5 metres.
The latest generation all-season tyres, thanks to innovative compounds with a high percentage of silica and adaptive polymers, manage to obtain B or even A classifications, dispelling the myth that all-season tires are necessarily inferior in the wet.
The standardized test involves braking from 80 to 20 km/h on wet asphalt with 1 mm of water, repeated multiple times to guarantee the accuracy of the results and simulate real driving conditions in thunderstorms.
External noise: the noise pollution you don’t see
External tire noise, often underestimated, contributes significantly to urban noise pollution, with direct impacts on public health in terms of stress, sleep disorders and cardiovascular problems.
The new label classifies noise into three categories: class A (67-71 dB), class B (72 dB) and class C (73-77 dB), where every 3 decibels of difference represents a doubling of the perceived sound intensity.
A class A tire generates a noise comparable to a normal conversation, while a class C tire is equivalent to the noise of a running vacuum cleaner, with obvious implications for driving comfort and environmental impact.
From 2026, European legislation will impose even more stringent limits, reducing the maximum value allowed to 72 dB for cars, pushing manufacturers to invest in sound-absorbing technologies such as internal air chambers and optimized tread designs.
Modern all-season tires use asymmetric patterns and variable pitch technology to distribute sound frequencies, reducing the annoying monotonous hum typical of traditional tires and improving acoustic comfort by up to 30%.
3PMSF and Ice Grip symbols: the winter certification that makes the difference
The 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol is not just a decorative icon but represents the passing of rigorous tests according to the UNECE R117 regulation, with a minimum acceleration index on snow of 1.07 compared to the reference tyre.
To obtain 3PMSF certification, the tire must demonstrate 7% higher performance in traction and 10% in braking on compact snow compared to a standard tyre, ensuring real safety in winter conditions.
The Ice Grip pictogram, introduced with the ISO 19447 standard in July 2021, certifies exceptional performance on pure ice at temperatures below -15°C, but is only available for C1 tires (passenger cars) and mainly intended for Nordic markets.
The best 2025 all-season tires such as the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 obtain both certifications, offering performance comparable to pure winter tires down to -20°C.
The presence of the 3PMSF is essential for legal circulation in winter: from 15 November to 15 April, these tires completely replace the obligation of chains, avoiding fines ranging from 41 euros in urban centers to 338 euros on the motorway.
Top 5 all-season tires 2025: performance and prices compared
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 dominates the premium market with a class A label for efficiency and B for grip, at an average price of 130-150 euros, offering a 25% higher mileage than the competition.
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is positioned as a best buy with a B/B classification, a competitive price of 100-130 euros and Adaptive Grip technology which automatically changes the footprint based on the temperature.
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 takes third place with B/B label and price of 90-120 euros, standing out for its excellent lateral grip on snow and low noise (class A, 69 dB).
For those looking to save, the Nexen N Blue 4Season offers an interesting compromise with a C/B classification at just 60-80 euros, maintaining the 3PMSF certification and surprising performance in the wet.
The Nokian Seasonproof amazes with the first class A label on both parameters for a 4 season, at a price of 110-140 euros, particularly excelling in extreme conditions thanks to the Nordic heritage of the Finnish brand.
We would like to point out that if you wish to check the exact price for your vehicle, on the page of the Norauto website dedicated to the online sale of all-season tyres, you will find a practical configurator which is very useful for finding the measurements for your vehicle of these profiles. Simply enter the make and model of your car, or even just the license plate, to see all the compatible profiles and their prices.
Sanctions and controls: what risks those who do not respect the rules
Contrary to what one might think, consumers do not risk direct fines for purchasing incorrectly labeled tires: the sanctions only affect manufacturers, importers and retailers.
Manufacturers who provide false or misleading labels risk administrative fines of 50,000 to 100,000 euros per tire model, as well as immediate withdrawal from the market and possible criminal prosecution for commercial fraud.
Retailers have the obligation to display the label visibly and legibly at the point of sale and online: failure to display leads to fines of 500 to 5,000 euros for each non-compliant tyre.
For motorists, sanctions are triggered only in the case of circulation with unsuitable tyres: using summer tires in winter without chains leads to fines from 41 to 338 euros, while tires with a speed code lower than the permitted one (outside the winter period) lead to fines from 422 to 1,695 euros.
Since 2025, controls have intensified with the introduction of automatic scanners at motorway toll booths which verify tire compliance in real time through optical recognition of the DOT and size code.
Towards increasingly sustainable mobility
Choosing 4-season tires with a high-class European label does not only mean saving hundreds of euros in fuel and guaranteeing precious meters of braking safety, but also concretely contributing to that green mobility revolution which, tire after tyre, is transforming our roads into quieter, more efficient and planet-friendly arteries that we will leave to the next generations.
