Motorcycles release more air pollution than SUVs
Having dissected the Prius vs. Hummer myth, we found it interesting to learn that motorcycles release more pollution into the air than even SUVs. While motorcycles are about twice as fuel-efficient as cars and emit less CO2, because they are unable to carry heavy equipment like catalytic converters, they release large amounts of nitrogen oxides, which results in the release of ten times more air pollution per mile than an average car. While two wheelers comprise only 3.6% of registered vehicles in California and only 1% of the miles driven, they account for 10% of the state’s smog emissions from vehicles. So although switching from a passenger car to a motorcycle will save you money at the gas pump, it will actually do more harm to the air than even your gas guzzling SUV.
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Comments
3 Comments on Motorcycles release more air pollution than SUVs
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Beauxbear on
Fri, 20th Jun 2008 9:06 am
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Jacob on
Fri, 20th Jun 2008 10:01 am
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B.J. on
Sat, 18th Apr 2009 3:41 pm
If this is true then why are motorcycles allowed to drive in the carpool lane? I thought it was because they were environmentally friendly…
According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, “Motorcycles are permitted by federal law to use HOV lanes, even with only one passenger. The rationale behind allowing motorcycles to use HOV lanes is that it is safer to keep two-wheeled vehicles moving than to have them travel in start-and-stop traffic conditions. States can choose to override this provision of federal law, if they determine that safety is at risk.”
And while they may be less environmentally friendly as far as air pollution is concerned, they do conserve gasoline. And isn’t that what the carpool lane is all about, conserving gas?
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