Real-World Emissions and Fuel Economy of Motorcycles 2022-28-0435

This research quantifies the real-world emissions and fuel economy of a BS-VI motorcycle. The emissions estimation by standard driving cycles in the laboratory does not represent the emissions factors estimated in real-world driving experience on road. In real-world driving conditions, the emissions of motorcycles were influenced by vehicle driving patterns and traffic conditions. The time-speed data was collected during peak and non-peak hours on weekdays and weekends. The fuel economy and emissions factors were estimated for peak and non-peak hours by simulating the time-speed data on a chassis dynamometer interfaced with a gravimetric fuel consumption meter and a 5-gas analyzer. The average and maximum speeds of 29 km/h and 60 km/h in urban, 33 km/h and 72 km/h in rural, and 47 km/h and 79 km/h on highways respectively were observed. The CO and HC emissions were higher during peak hours on weekdays in urban traffic conditions compared to other traffic conditions. The CO and HC emissions were higher by 12.0 times and 3.5 times in urban, 5.25 times and 2.6 times in rural, and 4.0 times and 2.0 times on highways during peak hours on weekdays as compared to non-peak hours. NOx emissions were lower during urban traffic conditions and higher during highway, and rural driving patterns. Fuel consumption during urban driving was higher by 12.2% to 28.5% and 16.81% to 26.03% as compared to rural and highway driving respectively. The %age of idle was 22% and 11% observed during peak and non-peak hours respectively. The higher CO and HC emissions observed in the urban traffic conditions may be due to a higher percentage of an idle and higher rate of acceleration and deceleration. This study has demonstrated the influence of driving parameters and traffic conditions on vehicular emissions. This study can be handy to the legislative bodies and policymakers for making future emissions regulations to control vehicular pollution in the country.