Next week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a public hearing on a plan requiring an increasing percentage of California on-road motorcycle sales to be comprised of zero-emission motorcycles (ZEM). The plan begins with model year 2028 to have half of all new on-road motorcycles sold being ZEM by 2035.
The move by California follows in the footsteps of their plan to eliminate the sale of internal combustion engines in light-duty cars and trucks by 2035. That plan is currently under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If CARB moves forward with this motorcycle plan, it too will face a review by the EPA before implementation.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and other organizations submitted comments on the proposed plan. One of the MRF’s points, echoed by others, is the lack of demand for electric motorcycles. The Motorcycle Industry Council, which represents the interests of motorcycle manufacturers stated that “ZEM sales projections far exceed market expectations.” Harley-Davidson made a similar point saying, “H-D is concerned that customers will not purchase ZEMs at a rate that will enable manufacturers to consistently meet ZEM credit obligations.”
The MRF also addressed the threat to the aftermarket parts industry, an overreliance on countries like China that supply the minerals needed for batteries and concerns about the necessary infrastructure to support these bikes.
We concluded our comments this way, “We understand the mindset of the American street rider and fear that a push to ZEM will destroy a vibrant and distinctively American lifestyle. Forcing consumers to purchase a product they do not want and will not use is not an effective public policy. Allowing the market to freely determine the products available to consumers will result in the best outcomes for all parties involved.”
Click to Read MRF Comments Submitted to Hearing on CARB Plan :
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