Since 2006, ALL scooters (even those under 50cc) have to meet EPA Standards. These are no longer "chainsaw" or "weed-wacker" type 2 strokes, so I will help my poketbook and leave good air behind me. EPA Standards do not take into account the VOLUME (yes I turned it up) when they measure ppm. Even if a scooter puts out more ppm it does not mean that it pollutes more per mile...in fact the opposite is true because the volume of exhaust is so much smaller.
*****************
EPA: Complying with the EPA Emissions Regulations is required for all vehicles sold for use on the public roads. The only exception to this rule is for scooters with an engine size less than 50 cc. Note: starting in 2006, all engines, even 49 cc and smaller, will be required to meet EPA regulations. The manufacturer must conduct emissions tests on each engine to be certified, following strict guidelines established by Congress and published in the Code of Federal Regulations and enforced by the EPA. Unlike the DOT Compliance which is self regulated by the manufacturers themselves, the EPA Certification requires that an annual application with emissions test data be submitted to the EPA Administrator for review. If all the test data and documentation are approved, the EPA will issue an EPA Certificate of Conformity to the manufacturer, assigning an EPA Engine Family Name to that engine.
**********************
But starting in 2006, manufacturers will be required to reduce HC and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of on-road motorcycles by 60%. Beginning in 2010, fuel lost through hoses and tanks on motorcycles must be limited.
***************************
In the past, motorcycles and scooters with an engine displacement of under 50cc's were exempt from EPA Certification. The rules changed for model year 2006 and now all motorcycles and scooters have to be tested and certified under The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Onroad Motorcycle rules. These changes affect importing and manufacturing motorcycles with a displacement of under 50cc's and made it much more difficult for a 2-stroke engine to be able to sold in the USA.
"The new EPA rules are good for the industry," says Bill Peirce, President of Cobra Powersports. "We need cleaner burning engines to protect our environment. It's not enough that we offer fuel efficient vehicles, we must also provide the best products for our communities air quality," adds Mr. Peirce. "Many companies won't be able to comply with the new rules because they don't understand how to engineer an engine to pass the emissions and still offer enough power to satisfy the US consumers need for speed. We started planning for this new EPA law over 2 years ago because we knew a 4-stroke engine with a displacement of under 49cc would either be under powered or too expensive to manufacturer in if we had to use multiple valves or fuel injection. We knew we had to be ready with a high-performance 2-stroke engine."
********************
__________________
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD... Founder of L.O.S.T.
OME 2.25" Lift w/ Toyo Open Country HTs 235/75/16s
ASFIR Alum Eng/Tranny/Transfercase/Fuel Skids
2002 Air Box Mod...Air Tabs (5) on Roof...(3)each behind rear windows
Partial Grill Block with Custom Air Scoop and 3" Open Catback Exhaust
Lambretta UNO150cc 4 Stroke Scooter
|