Do 2-Stroke Motor-cycles pose any pollution problem? It is wrongly believed in some quarters that 2-Stroke Motorcycles create pollution problem.
To show that it is an extremely small problem in Pakistan, comparison between 2-Stroke and 4-Stroke engines with reference to pollution is given.
According to research conducted by "Japan Automobile Manufactures Association", the total amount of emissions from motorcycles (including 2-Stroke Motorcycles) are estimated at about 1% of those from all motorised vehicles. For this reason Japan did not bother to specify any emission levels for motorcycles for a very long time.
This shows that motorcycles irrespective of type of engine cause negligible amount of pollution as compared to other vehicles.
The sale and the population of motorcycles in Pakistan, as compared to India and other developing countries is much smaller. For the last 10 years average yearly sales of motorcycles in Pakistan has been about 110,000 units per year, while in India it has been 3,500,000 per year.
However since the population of India is much bigger, sale for every 10,000 persons was calculated which comes to 7 motorcycles per year in Pakistan and 40 motorcycles per year in India.
Yearly sale of 2-Stroke and 4-Stroke Motorcycles for every 10,000 persons in Pakistan and other developing countries is given below:
This table shows that the problem of pollution through motorcycles in Pakistan is extremely small as compared to other countries. Also total population of 2-Stroke Motorcycles in Pakistan is much smaller ie 350,000 motorcycles as against 750,000 4-Stroke Motorcycles.
Two-Stroke and Four-Stroke motorcycles emit carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (Nox) and Hydrocarbons (HC) 4-Stroke Motorcycles emit 25% more carbon monoxide and 300% more Nitrogen Oxides as compared to 2-Stroke motorcycles. However 2-Stroke motorcycles emit 4 times more Hydrocarbons as compared to 4-Stroke motorcycle Carbon monoxide is one of the most harmful gases for humans but it is colour-less and cannot be seen by the human eye. As mentioned above 4-Stroke Motorcycles emit higher level of carbon monoxide.
If the size of problem is so small why is there criticism against 2-Stroke Motorcycles and Motorcycle Rickshaws? What is the reason for this misconception?
The reason is that bad quality recycled engine oil is being sold extensively in the market.
Obviously emission level rise when such poor quality oil is used in any vehicle. Some time back Director General - Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan had stated.
"This problem (of pollution) was solved in the past when in Lahore a number of rickshaws were made to run with recommended quality and mixture of lubricants and petrol, and the results were perfect.
The problem arises when low quality lubricants of lesser price are used by rickshaw drivers."
Therefore, concerned government departments are requested to prohibit production & sales of poor quality oil instead of putting restriction on 2-Stroke Motorcycles/Motorcycle Rickshaws.
Torque (Power) of 2-Stroke Motorcycle is always much higher than 4-Stroke Motorcycle. For this reason 100cc 2-Stroke Motorcycles are being extensively used in motorcycle rickshaws.
To generate the same power as 2-Stroke 100cc Motorcycle, we will require 150cc 4-Stroke Motorcycle. Because of higher capacity engine required for 4-Stroke Motorcycle rickshaws the price of 4-Stroke Motorcycles rickshaw will be high and will not be economically feasible.
During 2003, thirty thousand (30,000) motorcycle Rickshaws were sold in the market which created 60,000 jobs / employment for Rickshaw drivers on two shift basis.
No other sector of the economy is creating jobs on such a large scale.
There is very little investment in the industry and very small numbers of jobs are being created in the industry.
A motorcycle rickshaw cost about Rs 72,000 and such small amount of investment creates two jobs, whereas in industry one job is created against an investment of Rs 3.0 million to 3.5 million.
In the year 2004, the motorcycle industry expects to sell about 50,000 motorcycle rickshaws which will result in creation of 100,000 jobs on two shift basis.
Suzuki Motorcycles Pakistan Limited has Eleven (11) direct company owned showrooms which are serving the people of Pakistan by selling motorcycles on easy instalments.

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             Taiwan  Indonesia  Malaysia  Philippines  Pakistan
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2-Stroke       96        16        12         13              2
4-Stroke      196        90        73         16              5
Total         292       106        85         29              7
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