ACEM (the European motorcycle manufacturers association) announced several strategic measures concerning safety and the environment at its 5th Annual Conference, held on December 1st, 2008.
Firstly, ACEMs is confident that it will meet its target to fit 50% of all new PTWs (Powered Two Wheelers, i.e. motorcycles and scooters) with advanced braking systems by 2010, and in addition has pledged that by 2015, three quarters of PTWs sold will be offered with advanced braking systems as an option.
On the environmental front, ACEM has proposed a 'road map' with a the aim of parity with car emissions by 2015. Initially PTW's would achieve a Euro 4 stage in 2012, (entailing a 25% reduction over tailpipe emissions compared to the current Euro 3 standard), attaining the Euro 5 stage three years later by realising a further 25% reduction in tailpipe emissions, thus reaching the goal of parity with Euro 5 petrol passenger cars.
This would be a significant achievement as Euro standards for PTWs were not introduced until 1999, a full seven years after their implementation for passenger cars. Furthermore, as a recent study by the French environment agency proved that in an urban environment Euro 3 PTW's are 'greener' that Euro 4 cars (because they reach their destination twice as quickly and thus spend less real time with the engine running), Euro 5 motorcycles and scooters will be substantially more environmentally friendly than cars.
Fuel for thought!
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