Comparison of Real-World Emissions from Two-Wheelers and Passenger Cars

Abstract

Passenger cars are the primary means of transportation in Europe. Over the past decade, a great deal of attention has therefore been paid to reducing their emissions. This has resulted in notable technical progress, leading to unprecedentedly low exhaust emissions. In the meantime, emissions from motorcycles have been ignored due to their subordinate role in traffic. Even though the motorcycle fleet is small in comparison with the car fleet, and logs lower yearly mileage per vehicle, their contribution to traffic emissions has become disproportionately high. Exhaust emissions of CO, HC, NOx, and CO2 from 8 powered two-wheelers were measured and compared to previous measurements from 17 gasoline-powered passenger cars performed at EMPA with the aim of ascertaining their relevance. Using exhaust emission ratios from both vehicle types, comparisons based on mean unit, mean yearly, and fleet emissions are considered. Present-day aftertreatment technologies for motorcycles are not as efficient as those for cars. A comparison of mean unit emissions shows that motorcycles exceed cars in NOx emissions. All comparisons reveal a significant HC ratio, to the detriment of two-wheelers. Overall, the relevance of emissions from powered two-wheelers is not negligible when compared with modern gasoline-powered passenger cars.