Alternative Fuel Options For Motorcycles

Motorcycles have been a craze among the youth since ages. With their looks and style, they add to the masculinity of the young turks. There are all sorts of motorcycles in the market with all sorts of technology and with various fuel options. However, most of these motorcycles run on the conventional fossil fuels. Petrol is the main fuel for the motorcycles.

It is quite well known fact that motorcycles are more fuel efficient than cars, compact and lightweight. They are easy to handle, take less space to park and easily maneuvered through the congestion. They require low cost of maintenance; however they are high on the emissions chart producing gases that are harmful to the environment.

With the rising oil prices and depleting reserves, the hunt for newer alternative sources of energy has become more intense. Although there are many alternative fuel options available but most of the fuels require minor to major changes in the engine. The engine technology needs upgradation.

Bio-fuels are the fuels produced from the agricultural, domestic and animal waste. These fuels include biodiesel, bio-ethanol and biogas. The raw material for these bio-fuels can vary from husks, crop waste, grasses, corn, sugarcane bagasse, vegetable residues, cow dung, pig dung to human fecal matter can also be utilized in producing these bio-fuels.

Biodiesel is mainly produced from corn and sugarcane bagasse. Brazil is the largest producer of biodiesel followed by US. The biodiesel is a clean fuel and can also be blended with the petrol. Biodiesel has created a 60% reduction in hydrocarbons emissions, a 40% reduction of carbon monoxide emissions and a 40% reduction in particulates that are suspended in the air.

Ethanol is the most popular and potent alternative fuel for motorcycles. The E85 is a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gas that is used to run vehicles. Only E85 can be used in specially designed engines. The use of ethanol as alternate fuel option for motorcycles can reduce smog production up to 50%.

Another top candidate of becoming one of the most successful alternate fuel options for the motorcycles is Compressed Natural Gas or CNG. The natural gas is found trapped below the surface of earth and it is recorded that there are ample reserves of natural gas to last for a few hundred years. It is a clean burning fuel with low emissions.

Hydrogen is fast coming up as a potent contender for becoming the fuel of the future. With its application in the rocket propulsion and already proven credentials as a powerful fuel, it is seriously being looked upon as the alternate fuel option for motorcycles and cars. They can be stored in compact cylinders and also reduce the need for refueling.

Hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle models are being developed in the labs and are under tests for commercial production. Electricity or battery powered motorcycles have already come in to commercial production. Slowly but surely the world is realizing the need to move towards greener fuel options. Motorcycles will prove to be a good testing ground for applying these alternate fuel options to other modes of transport.