EMISSIONS AND NOISE MITIGATION THROUGH USE OF ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES Michael Hernandez The University of Texas at Austin Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering

摘要: Gasoline-powered motorcycles contribute disproportionately to noise and emissions, but the potential benefits of the electrification of motorcycles have not been thoroughly explored. In part, this is due to their relative newness; advances in battery efficiency have only recently allowed electric motorcycles (eMCs) to join electric cars and electric bicycles as a viable consumer option. This work investigates the current state of motorcycle noise and emissions using both simulations and experimental data, examines the factors that have led to motorcycles being outliers and offenders in these areas, and uses the specifications of major-manufacturer eMC offerings to estimate the costs and benefits of electrification. Motorcycle emissions have experienced anywhere from a 60-percent decrease to a 10-percent increase over a 50-year period, while US passenger cars demonstrate a 50-percent to 98.5-percent decrease in all emissions species studied. Factors contributing to this discrepancy include limited regulations, which can be difficult to enforce and which vary regionally; changing engine technologies; and rider preferences. Motorcycle sound exceeds that of most other vehicles, with roughly double the perceived noise at high speeds. Electrification could serve to reduce noise and some emissions species, though range limitations and higher prices may prove a barrier to widespread adoption. For environmental benefits to manifest, it is critical that electrification occur with a corresponding shift in away from coal and natural gas as an energy source. Stricter emissions regulations and stronger enforcement of existing prohibitions on certain forms of …