Industry Insider: UK Government Moves to End Sale of Gas Motorbikes by 2035

[admin]

In a recent move against petrol power, the UK government has released an open consultation on their website ending the sale of gas-powered motorcycles by the year 2035, with some getting the kick as early as 2030 – eight short years from now.

This news follows Europe’s current trajectory to cut 78% of all emissions by the same year – and as you can imagine, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is not very happy about it.

In the objection submitted to the government, the MCIA continues to reason that our industry needs ‘more time’ to adjust to zero-emission obligations – and slapping an earlier end date isn’t how to get things sorted.


A view of two motorcyclists enjoying a sunny scoot in an urban setting. Media sourced from Cycle Canada.

“We put forward a compelling case in our Journey to a Brighter Destination document for the continued support of large capacity leisure motorcycling and why it needs to be treated as such in the consultation,” states Tony Campbell, the Chief Executive of the MCIA in a report from Visordown.

“Its minimal emissions, low mileage, important contributions to the economy, sport, tourism and mental health benefits are all reasons why a fairer, progressive and more bespoke approach is needed to phase out new non zero emission motorcycles.”


The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. Media sourced from the 2022 DGR.

“Making up just 0.5% of UK domestic transport emissions, this news is a missed opportunity to allow industry more time to adapt, and for technology to catch up,” adds the MCIA.

“We recognise our environmental contribution will increase as other transport modes phase out and so support the decision to phase out L1 vehicles by 2030,” finishes Campbell.

“However, we do not support the decision to include L3e-A1, which even with an ICE powertrain are significantly more environmentally efficient than some electric cars.”


A motorcyclist enjoying a ride in green, hilly topography. Media sourced from Alchemist Adventures.

With renewed efforts from the EU on the safety and cleanliness of our roads, we anticipate a happy middle (read; more time) for the UK motorcycle industry to adjust in the coming years.

Here is the original open consultation from the UK Government, should you wish to give it a perusal yourself.

What do you think? Drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from Alkemist Adventures, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Cycle Canada, and Yamaha Motors*​

The post Industry Insider: UK Government Moves to End Sale of Gas Motorbikes by 2035 appeared first on webBikeWorld.

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[Phaedrus]

The war in Ukraine has exposed the high dependence the world has on oil and natural gas. Unless something almost "magical" is discovered tomorrow, there is no way the world can shift to electric power in 8 years. Think about the kind of infrastructure required to deliver electric energy to our home equivalent to all the gasoline that we consume in transportation right now. Europe can not even fires its industry and warm its homes if Putin decides to cut the supply of NG. Greta Thumperg and her tree hugger followers can protest all they can, the world is not ready for that kind of change, yet.
But, it will happen eventually. So, let's record the beautiful sound of a smokey engine accelerating, so that we can play it back while running our future electric scooters...

 

[670cc]

The war in Ukraine has exposed the high dependence the world has on oil and natural gas. Unless something almost "magical" is discovered tomorrow, there is no way the world can shift to electric power in 8 years. Think about the kind of infrastructure required to deliver electric energy to our home equivalent to all the gasoline that we consume in transportation right now. Europe can not even fires its industry and warm its homes if Putin decides to cut the supply of NG. Greta Thumperg and her tree hugger followers can protest all they can, the world is not ready for that kind of change, yet.
But, it will happen eventually. So, let's record the beautiful sound of a smokey engine accelerating, so that we can play it back while running our future electric scooters...

It’s sad that the world has not heeded warnings from decades ago and has instead locked itself into this oil and natural gas dependency. We could have had a better chance of successfully shifting to electric in 8 years had we not taken the easy fossil fuel route for so many years in the past. So the question is, what do we do next? Say that change can’t happen and continue business as usual, or start getting serious about the problem and do something right now?

I see this 2030 or 2035 electrification goal as a ”stretch goal”, one that we probably can’t actually meet. However, it could put put us on a path to do something in the way of diversifying energy sources in transportation, which is better than doing nothing.

BTW, I also ride an electric motorcycle, and I so much do enjoy not listening to the sound of a smokey engine accelerating.