Are Scooters Polluters?
Some people are turning to scooters to reduce their transportation costs. But even the cleanest gasoline-powered models typically emit more smog-forming hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides than a car because so little pollution-control equipment fits on them. On the positive side, scooters can help ease traffic congestion, minimize materials used in manufacturing and lessen carbon dioxide emissions (because they get better fuel economy). The greenest choice may be a “maxi scooter” that is as powerful and expensive as a motorcycle but runs on electricity, although that energy may be generated at a fossil-fuel-burning power plant. Here’s a comparison: Chevrolet Suburban Carbon dioxide emissions (gms/km): 396 Hydrocarbon emissions (gms/km): 0.079 Toyota Prius MKII Carbon dioxide emissions (gms/km): 120 Hydrocarbon emissions (gms/km): 0.018 Piaggio Vespa GT200 gas scooter Carbon dioxide emissions (gms/km): 72 Hydrocarbon emissions (gms/km): 0.300 Vectrix electric maxi scooter Carbon dioxid
