When Big Ben announces the arrival of the New Year, the metaphorical bell will be tolling for the end of Euro 4.
The standard will be replaced on 1 January by Euro 5, which lays down the specification all new type-approved motorcycles and mopeds sold in the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA).
For existing moped and motorcycle models type-approved before the 1 January 2020, Euro 5 will become mandatory as of the first day of 2021, according to the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This brings the pollutant emissions of L-category vehicles (i.e. mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles) to the same level as Euro 6 cars.
Technical innovation in the motorcycle industry has played a key role in progressively lowering vehicle emissions. Since the introduction of the Euro 1 standard for motorcycles and mopeds in 1999, pollutant emissions have been drastically reduced. Combined emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) have gone down by 96.6%, says ACEM, while carbon monoxide (CO) emissions have been reduced by 92.3%.
Euro 5 in detail
Under the new Euro 5 standard, tailpipe emissions of mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles will not be allowed to exceed 1000 mg/km of carbon monoxide (CO), 100 mg/km total hydrocarbons (THC), 68 mg/km non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), 60 mg/km of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 4.5 mg/km of particulate matter (PM). These Euro 5 tailpipe pollutant emission limits are the same as those of Euro 6 for cars.
“The new Euro 5 standard will become mandatory for all new type-approved motorcycles and mopeds as of 1 January 2020,” said ACEM. “Some niche segments – enduro and trial motorcycles, three-wheeled mopeds designed for utility purposes and light quadrimobiles – have been granted additional lead time. These niche products will have to comply with the new Euro 5 tailpipe emissions limits as of 1 January 2024.”
ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said: “From a supply-side perspective, vehicle technology has been instrumental in improving the environmental performance of motorcycles.
“ACEM members have invested heavily in research and product development to develop Euro 5-compliant motorcycles equipped with technologies such as three-way catalysts with oxygen sensor controls, complex electronic engine management systems, advanced fuel injection and variable valve timing and lift technologies.
“ACEM sees Euro 5 fitting within the vision of the recent European Green Deal of achieving less-polluting transport, especially in cities, and further enabling the contribution of our range of vehicles to a multimodal transport system.”