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British riders oppose the ban of new petrol-powered motorcycles

After the British government recently proposed to stop the sale of new non-zero emission motorcycles from 2035, both British motorcyclists’ organisations – BMF and MAG – have clearly expressed their views.

The UK government proposed the following dates to stop the sale of new non-zero emission models:

  • 2035 for all L-category vehicles at the latest (two- and three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles)
  • 2030 for L1, L2, L3e-A1, L6 and L7 sub-category vehicles (click here for an explanation of the categories)

The government launched an open consultation, called ‘L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models’. Both BMF and MAG have responded to the government’s consultation.

The BMF will oppose any proposals to ban the use of motorcycles powered by internal combustion engines while such vehicles are still capable of being run.

The BMF believes that the internal combustion engine (ICE) powered two-wheeler should play a big part in the transition to net-zero. Whilst it is true that ‘every little helps’ when reducing emissions, if the timing is wrong and there are insufficient alternatives, battery electric or otherwise, on the market, riders may turn to cars.

We welcome the assurance from government that there will be no ban on second-hand sales and the use of existing non-zero emission motorcycles, however we are opposed to the arbitrary dates being set which ban the sale of new non-zero emission motorcycles.

There are many questions about how environmentally friendly the batteries themselves are, and the BMF also encourages the government to consider the life-cycle of the vehicles, including manufacturing, when assessing their emissions.

Click here for BMF’s full response.

MAG totally opposes the proposed ban on the sale of internal combustion-engine vehicles, whether it be from 2035, the originally mooted 2040, or any other date.

MAG says governments do not have the ability to predict the future and should not seek to limit innovation and creativity in solving the problems that we all face. The proposed enforced end of fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles on this, or any other, timescale is not the way to get to the best outcomes.

The justification for the focus on zero tailpipe emissions is highly questionable, and the short schedule is unnecessary. The outcomes will be economically and socially catastrophic. The benefits will be too small to measure.

Simply trying to delay this policy is the wrong approach. It must be rejected in its entirety. Our exhaustive research has gone far beyond the world of motorcycling, and nothing we have found dissuades us from the belief that this policy is wrong.

Click here for MAG’s full response.

Top photograph courtesy of cardosystems.com

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