In Paris, two-wheelers pollute more than cars

This study, published by the International Council for Clean Transport (ICCT) in partnership with the city of Paris, points to the responsibility of two-wheelers for air pollution in the capital. Enough to stimulate government policy to increase investment in motorcycle and electric scooter development.

While we often tend to focus on private vehicles and heavy vehicles when discussing the topic of car pollution, the discovery is just as alarming in the two-wheeled vehicle sector. This is evidenced by the results of a study published by ICCT, the International Clean Transport Council.

The study, dubbed TRUE (True Urban Emissions Initiative), is based on a series of measurements taken in the summer of 2018 on tens of thousands of vehicles in circulation around the capital. In the field of motorized two- and three-wheeled vehicles, known as category “L”, 3455 vehicle measurements were collected and analyzed.

Lagging behind standards

Although the emergence of new emission standards has reduced emissions in the two-wheeled vehicle sector, their late introduction compared to private cars creates a real gap when compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles. According to ICCT measurements, NOx emissions from L vehicles are on average 6 times higher than those of gasoline cars, and carbon monoxide emissions are 11 times higher.  

“Despite the fact that they represent a small percentage of the total number of kilometers traveled by vehicles, two-wheeled motorized vehicles can have a disproportionate impact on air pollution levels in urban areas,” the authors of the report warn.

“NOx and CO emissions from new L (Euro 4) vehicles per unit of fuel consumed were more similar to those of Euro 2 or Euro 3 petrol vehicles than to comparatively new vehicles (Euro 6),” the report highlights, looking at the NOx emissions of two-wheelers. vehicles similar to those of diesel vehicles, and also stands out due to the discrepancy observed between measurements taken in real use and measurements taken in the laboratory during approval tests.

Urgency of action

“In the absence of new policies to reduce exhaust emissions or restrict traffic, the share of air pollution from these vehicles (two-wheeler editor's note) is likely to increase in the area to low emissions from Paris as access restrictions become more severe . restrictive in the coming years Warn ICCT report.

Enough to motivate the municipality of Paris to complete its plans to phase out diesel fuel through tougher two-wheeler policies, in particular by accelerating the electrification of motorcycles and scooters.