Legal aspects
A more transparent and cost effective type-approval process will be generated by the inclusion of all administrative measures introduced for motor vehicles (Directive 2007/46/EC) in the proposed legislation on PTWs
"The industry and the consumer will benefit from a single legal framework and the split-level approach proposed by the European Commission".ACEM has been following the CARS 21 discussions with great interest and studied the possibilities to replicate the same approach for the powered two-wheeler (PTW) regulatory system. The CARS21 model can be positively transposed to PTWs. Indeed, the PTW regulatory framework is very similar to the 4-wheeled motor vehicle system. For both products, the system is based on the “old approach” using European type-approval. For PTWs, as for motor vehicles, technical requirements are laid down in separate directives and the administrative and general principles are prescribed in a framework directive.
ACEM furtherlore supports the increased use of references to UNECE Regulations (including GTRs), provided that adequate transitional provisions exclude existing vehicles, and that the EC prepares its position in UNECE forum in cooperation with interested stakeholders.
The EU has adopted several UNECE regulations regarding PTWs, which are accepted as equivalent to the separate directives. ACEM’s recommends simplifying PTW regulations by replacing the separate directives by their equivalent UNECE regulations. This will avoid duplicate legislation, increase international harmonization and again allow a more reactive adaptation to the technical progress.
The inclusion of a provision to ensure the transposition of relevant GTRs should also be part of the proposed approach.
Back
Reducing emission levels
ACEM's roadmap towards parity with cars
"ACEM is fully supportive of measures aimed at achieving in a two-step approach, equivalence with passenger car emissions Euro 5/6 (gasoline engine)".
The development of innovative low-emitting engines must also consider a reasonable time frame. Sufficient lead time must be taken into account. Mindful of the need and desire to progress with a reduction in PTWs emission levels in the shorter term, ACEM proposes a two-stage reduction process as follows:
• A first stage comprising of the package of additional measures agreed at the 1/12/05 MVEG and a 25% reduction in tailpipe emissions for motorcycles from 2006/72/EC row C limit values. This step, applicable simultaneously with the future regulation, also foresees the introduction of the new test cycle for mopeds and the limit values for quadricycles, both agreed in December 2005.
• The second stage, following a minimum of three years later, realising the goal of motorcycle equivalence with car Euro 5/6 (gasoline) using the calculation method presented by LAT in the October 2008 MCWG meeting.
• In both proposed stages, the needs of motorcycles equipped with two-stroke engines must be considered. We propose that limit values for vehicles equipped with two-stroke engines be specified in terms of an HC+NOx limit value by simple addition of the separate limit values for four-stroke engines.
ACEM has been taking part to the EU PTW emissions legislation from the beginning. To date, ACEM has provided key expertise and considerable resources to the development of the GTR2 test cycle and also to the package of measures agreed at the December 1st 2005 MVEG meeting. More recently, ACEM has provided input and assistance to the Commission’s consultants LAT.
To achieve the proposed goal, ACEM offers its cooperation and expertise to the Commission and member states. ACEM also commits itself to positively cooperate to EC initiatives during the comitology process to be able to finalise the Regulation as expeditiously as possible.
ACEM Proposal: Motorcycle Equivalence with Passenger Cars
• Euro 4 = - 25 % / Euro 3
• Euro 5 = Parity with Euro 5/6 Passenger Cars
Download:
Environment fact sheet
Back
Safety Measures proposed by ACEM
"Mandatory fitting of ABS is not the appropriate way forward. The legislative approach to the deployment of advanced braking systems will slow down if not hamper the development of new braking systems".
In 2004 ACEM manufacturers have jointly committed to the European Road Safety Charter to progressively supply PTWs with advanced braking systems taking into account their distinctive characteristics. By 2010, the majority of type-approved street models will be available on the European market with advanced braking systems.
Based on latest data available, ACEM can report that in June 2008, 35% of the European PTW offer was already available with an advanced braking system, which translated into 35% actual penetration in terms of PTW sales. Based on this encouraging picture, ACEM members anticipate that they will meet the 50% objective by 2010 and have already agreed to go beyond this initial commitment, establishing a further 75% objective by 2015.
ACEM believes that mandatory fitting of ABS is not the appropriate way forward, and that the development of advanced braking systems should be left to the market, also for the following reasons:
- PTW market segmentation and technical characteristics determine that no or low economies of scale would be achieved through a legislative approach.
- The ACEM “advanced braking systems” commitment ensures the large-scale deployment of all advanced systems (50% objective by 2010; 75% objective by 2015) on all PTWs providing benefits for both L1 and L3 categories.
- There is no scientific basis to support the mandatory fitting of anti-lock brakes to a particular category of PTWs. Determining legislative criteria for the fitting of the system would be an arbitrary exercise.
- A legislative approach would be detrimental to the variety of systems currently being developed by industry, potentially freezing innovation in the area of “advanced braking systems”.
- Mandatory anti-lock braking systems, applied on new vehicle architectures, would unnecessarily raise the vehicle market price to levels unaffordable for the potential market.
- Application of ABS (and indeed coupling braking devices) through legislation is incompatible with usage of type-approved trial and enduro bikes primarily designed for off-road use: being able to intentionally lock the wheels is essential in certain off-road conditions.
Further information:
ACEM announces a 75% enhanced taget for PTWS equipped with advanced braking systems
Safety Plan for Action
Brake Commitment
Overview of advanced braking systems
Back
Av de la Joyeuse Entre, 1 B-1040 Brussels, Belgium | Tel +32 2 2309732 | Fax +32 2 2301683 | Email 
conception Vertige asbl