TWO AND THREE WHEELER BEST POLICY PRACTICES: OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE EMISSIONS AND FUEL ECONOMY

Abstract:

For millions of people in Asia, two- and three-wheeled motorcycles are the most accessible and convenient mode of motorized transportation. Unfortunately, the rapid growth of two- and three-wheelers, especially the cheap and easy to maintain two-stroke models, has contributed to severe deterioration of urban air quality. Increasing motorcycle use also has significant implications for the transport sector’s reliance on petroleum fuels and its contribution to climate change. Much of the regulatory focus to date in motorcycle countries like India, Thailand, and China has been on strategies to reduce conventional pollutant emissions from motorcycles. Fortunately most of these strategies, especially those that have led to the phase-out of two-stroke motorcycles, have also resulted in improvements in motorcycle fuel economy. This is consistent with the ICCT’s Bellagio principles that encourage policies that simultaneously address urban air pollution and climate change. Regulators are however quickly realizing that further improvements in both emissions and fuel economy will require more targeted policies. Motorcycles are among the most fuel efficient motorized modes of personal transportation, but rapid growth in population coupled with the increasing popularity of larger and less efficient models are eroding this sector’s energy and emission performance. For highly motorcycle dependent countries in Asia and elsewhere, a comprehensive strategy to improve emissions and efficiency in the transportation sector must include measures for two- and three-wheelers. China is planning, for example, on adopting its first set of fuel economy standards in 2008/2009 while simultaneously implementing emissions standards similar to Euro 3, the latest European standards. This work reviews current trends in motorcycle emissions and fuel efficiency; policy approaches to improve motorcycle emission and efficiency performance; and the technologies required to implement these policies.