Evolution Of Eco-friendly Motorcycles

Motorcycles have a long history behind them. A history that is full with rich moments. Motorcycles initially used to run on steam as a propulsion method. Bikes are synonymous to style, passion and speed. Most favored among youth and middle income group buyers.

With the reports signifying the contribution of vehicles to the growing problem of global warming and air pollution, it has become important for the world to switch over to the alternative fuel options. Among all the major vehicle types, reported motorcycles have been reported to be more serious contributors in the air pollution. With bikes producing ten times as much as pollutant and harmful gases than the cars, the danger has grown manifolds. Till now the bikes were considered less pollutant then the cars, a myth among the common people broken only by these recent reports.

The need to develop the eco-friendly motorcycles is to curb the problem of air pollution and global warming. In addition, the need to develop eco-friendly motorcycle also arises because of the depleting resources of oil and its rising prices. Eco-friendly motorcycles have alternate fuels engine.

There are many options available in the alternate fuels. Scientists all over the world are working day and night to find new sources of energy. Apart from the non-conventional solar, hydro, wind and thermal energy sources many other potent contenders for becoming the more preferred option of running our vehicles. Mostly the companies are rolling out hybrid models of motorcycles that can run on both gasoline as well as some other alternate fuel. The new eco-friendly motorcycles have much improved engine efficiency, light in weight and compact in design. The automobile engineers have really sweat it out to bring the bikes this much. However, more intensive and directed efforts are needed to bring more improved models into the market.

Many companies like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and others need to put up together to design and develop these motorcycles. They have brought out many prototypes also. Intelligent Energy Inc has brought out ENV (Emissions Neutral Vehicle) that runs on hydrogen. It is called emissions neutral because it causes almost zero carbon emission, as it uses hydrogen as its fuel and water is the byproduct of this motorcycle. Track is an off-road electric vehicle produced by the Swiss company Quantya. This little bike is available only for city use. Quantya Strada EVO-1, built on a TUV base. It has lights, indicators and even a number plate holder. This bike is ecologically very useful.

Other models to have hit the roads are mostly the battery operated motorcycles and scooters. These scooters have evolved a lot being very useful for city traffic. However, it is also their main problem, as people want bikes and scooters that are not just good for city use but also can be taken outside the city boundaries. The problem of fast discharging and slow charging of the batteries is also other concern that has to be taken up. The battery technology is somewhat in the nascent stage and with further development, the chances of electric bikes and scooters becoming more successful commercially are high.

Some people also have a concept of running bikes from compressed air; however, it seems a distant option as of now. The energy required to compress the air to fill the fuel tanks will be taken from using some other fuel only.