Scooters and motorbikes - high CO2 emissions for two wheels
According to a study published this month by the french agency ADEME (Agence de l’environnement et de la maitrise de l’énergie), comparing the emissions of 14 motorbikes and scooters with those of 3 cars, scooters, notably 125cc scooters, produce 10 times the co2 emissions of cars that reach today’s approved standards (Euro 4).
The test was run on a commuter route into central Paris, with all vehicules observing speed restrictions. The two-wheelers, all reaching today’s approved standards (Euro 3), of course completed the route in half the time. The bad news, however, is that the scooters produced 10 times the co2 emissions, and the more powerful motorbikes 2 to 3 times the average emissions for cars today.
The state of traffic today in many city centres, and anti-pollution measures such as the London congestion charge have led to a huge increase in the purchase of two wheelers, and above all scooters. Whilst this may mean we get to work quicker, this should not be seen as a way to ease our green conscience - smaller motors do not necessarily mean less pollution.
The sooner advances are made in the development of reliable electric scooters (already available, but still needing improvement) and other green technologies for two-wheelers, the better for all of us.
#1 by Russell at May 17th, 2008
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Hi,
Please can you advise if you can point me to where I can find info on the cO2 emmissions of scooters.
Did the ADEME report mention CO2 emissin rates and did it give scooter brands?
Regards,
Russell.
#2 by admin at May 18th, 2008
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Hi Russell
I had a look at the study, but it doesn’t name the scooters used in the test. It just says that they used bikes that followed the EURO 2 and EURO 3 norms. In the case of EURO 2 they tested 1 125cc, 1 125+ cc, 1 600cc bike and 1 950cc + bike. For EURO 3 they tested 3 125cc, 2 125+cc, 2 600cc and 3 950+ cc.
Overall their finding do see an improvement due to the tighter standards, but they still find levels of co2 high, as well as carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.
Another interesting study can be found here. It was done by a Vectrix dealership - obviously to prove hoz little a Vectrix pollutes. This study finds that co2 levels are lower than in cars, but that levels of carbon monoxide emmitted by at least one scooter even beat those of a Hummer!!
http://www.rgvectrixdealership.co.uk/Scooter_Comp_Emiss_SWRI_Complete_1_09_08.pdf
#3 by Charles at April 20th, 2009
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You are promoting the electric scooter, thus you are bias.. Scooters produce better CO2 emissions than almost any car. CO2 is a cause of burning fossil fuels( like gasoline). My scooter gets 70 mpg( better than a electric hybrid that gets 30 mpg) and yes, the 2 stroke pollutes more than a 4 stroke. The car has updated equipment that motorcycles and scooters are not required to have. But still Obama is worried about the CO2 emissions which creates global warming.. Some scooters get 140 miles per gallon so they burn far less gas to create global warming rather than any car( not electric) getting 35 to 40 mpg and this is the problem with cars emissions. Sure, the scooters do make some polution( some areas worse than a car) but over all they are better on the enviroment.