The economic importance of motorcycles in Europe

A research by Oxford Economics highlights the economic and mobility benefits of two-wheelers in Europe.

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The safe ride to the future 2.0

The motorcycle industry’s commitment to road safety. This document showcases some of the industry’s most important initiatives in the area of motorcycle safety.

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Motorcycle training

The European Motorcycle Training Quality Label is a scheme that helps motorcyclists to clearly and easily identify the best post-license training programmes in Europe

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Competitiveness

ACEM members support a European stable regulatory framework that fosters growth, jobs and investment in the L-category industry

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Urban Mobility

L-category vehicles save time and money for commuters, increase urban traffic fluidity and reduce congestion

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Environment

L-category vehicles sold in the EU comply with strict pollutant emission limits. Also, they have a limited environmental impact

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International trade

Together with a more vibrant domestic market, exports will help the industry to grow and to create new jobs in the EU

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Road safety

The industry has achieved high safety levels for existing products and continues to bring advanced and innovative vehicles to the market

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ACEM news
15th ACEM Conference - The Motorcycle Industry’s Vision for decarbonisation
27 Oct 2022

A high-level panel of industry and technology experts will discuss the the motorcycle industry’s latest initiatives in the area of decarbonisation, within the context of the EU’s climate targets and the industry’s Vision 2030+. They will be joined by a panel of public leaders from the EU and local levels to address current and future policies to place Europe on the path to climate-neutral transport.

ACEM statement - Charging of electric powered-two wheelers: a step in the right direction
21 Oct 2022

On Wednesday, 19 October 2022, the European Parliament adopted Ismail Ertug MEP's report on the European Commission’s proposal for an Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation. Negotiations with the Member States (Council of the EU) will start soon, with the aim of reaching final adoption before the end of the year.

ACEM welcomes the outcome of the European Parliament’s vote, as this Regulation is the key to furthering support the fast roll-out of recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

ACEM particularly welcomes that the adopted amendments enhance the recognition of electric Powered Two-Wheelers (PTWs) by:

• Requesting the European Commission to review the need to include requirements for charging infrastructure to serve electric PTWs, “in particular the opportunity to equip charging infrastructure with a household power socket that makes it possible for such vehicles to be easily charged, since they represent a mode of transport that can help further reduce CO2 emissions and air pollution”;

• Requiring national authorities to adopt measures to promote the use of electric PTWs, such as e-mopeds, within their National Policy Frameworks;

• Asking Member States to report on the deployment of electric recharging infrastructure for L-category vehicles, both in terms of number of recharging stations and their power output.

Quote

Commenting on the result of the European Parliament’s vote, ACEM Secretary General, Antonio Perlot said:

“This is a crucial first step towards the adoption of a robust legal framework to support the fast deployment of charging infrastructure for electric two-wheelers and other vehicles across Europe”.

“If one regret, the Report falls short on the issue of ensuring security when recharging electric vehicles. As stressed by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) and ACEM in the past, charging stations should be equipped with anti-theft protections or surveillance systems to deter theft of motorcycles while they are being recharged”.

Background information

In July 2021 the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation replacing the 2014 Directive on Alternative Fuel Infrastructure.

The file was handled by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN). The rapporteur is Ismail Ertug (S&D, Germany).

The draft report was published on 14 February 2022 and presented to the TRAN Committee on 14 March 2022.

On 2 June 2022, the Council of the EU adopted its General Approach, i.e. its position for negotiations with the Parliament on the final wording of the new rules.

More information

European Commission's proposal for an Alternative fuel infrastructure Regulation (AFIR)

ACEM position paper - Electric mobility and PTWs The role of ePTWs in sustainable mobility [PDF]

Minisite - ACEM Vision 2030

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

 

 

ACEM to participate in the European Commission’s new Expert Group on Urban Mobility
03 Oct 2022

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) has been selected by the European Commission to participate in its new Expert Group on Urban Mobility. This Expert Group will provide technical expertise to the European Commission’s services for developing legislation, policies, and programmes in the field of sustainable urban mobility.

The Expert Group on Urban Mobility will also work to increase cooperation and coordination between the European Commission, Member States, and key stakeholders in the implementation of EU legislation, programmes, and policies relating to urban mobility, including sustainable urban mobility planning, transport contingency preparedness, and energy efficiency.

As the motorcycle industry evolves to meet new sustainability requirements, ACEM will support European Commission and Member States authorities in their efforts to develop synergies between EU, national, and regional funding and financing opportunities in research and development and innovation, and in deploying sustainable urban mobility solutions.

ACEM members are fully committed to working with European, national, and local authorities to implement the EU Green Deal and to enhance access to and availability of electric and low emission powered-two wheelers across Europe.

The first meeting of the new Expert Group on Urban Mobility will be held in Brussels on 25 October 2022.

Background information

• In July 2022 the European Commission adopted a decision to set up an Expert Group on Urban Mobility.
• This new group is one of the key elements of the EU Urban Mobility Framework, adopted in December 2021 as part of the Efficient and Green Mobility Package.

More information

The new EU Urban Mobility Framework
ACEM position paper on urban mobility
ACEM position paper on electro-mobility
ACEM position paper on micro-mobility
ACEM Vision 2030+

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

 

ACEM - eFuel Alliance online event - "Bridging the gap to climate neutrality. The case of eFuels for motorcycles"
16 Sep 2022

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and the eFuel Alliance will hold an open online event on 28 September 2022 (14:30 - 15:45 CET) to discuss how eFuels can support the decarbonisation of the European two-wheeler fleet. The event will also address the role of eFuels for long-distance commuting vehicles and travelling in remote areas, as well as other topics discussed in the recent ACEM - eFuel Alliance position paper on eFuels.

eFuels are a necessary technology option for long range commuting and in areas with a lack of infrastructure. When combined with electric models, carbon-neutral fuels can address the existing vehicle stock, sustainably powering future models, while protecting the existing production chain.

During this event, we would like to discuss the application of eFuels in the two-wheeler sector with decision-makers from politics and within the industry, explain the state of the technology, and show pathways to climate-neutral and accessible mobility.

Speakers

  • Andreas Glück. Member of the European Parliament
  • Claudio Domenicali. Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - Chief Executive Officer
  • Jörg Engelmann. CAC Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz GmbH - Chief Executive Officer
  • Monika Griefahn. eFuel Alliance - Spokesperson for the Board of Directors
  • Karl-Maria Grugl. European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) - Chairman of the Technical and Regulatory Affairs Committee
  • Antonio Perlot. European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) - Secretary General
  • Wolfgang Warnecke. Shell Detuschland. Advisor for Carbon Management

Moderation

Ralf Diemer. eFuel Alliance - Managing Director

Time

28 September 2022 - 14:30 - 15:45 (CET)

Registration link

https://fulmidas-de.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rNmduK-vTSuC0CRexceO4g 

ACEM joins the eFuel Alliance. Joint online event to be hosted on 28 September
07 Sep 2022

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) has joined the eFuel Alliance, representing more than 170 companies, associations and consumer organisations that are a part of the eFuel production value chain.

The main objective of the eFuel Alliance is to enable the industrial production and widespread use of CO2-neutral fuels made from renewable energy sources to increase the sustainability of Europe's transport system.

Powered two-wheelers are small, light, efficient vehicles used for everyday commuting or leisure. They have minimal impact on greenhouse gas emissions and significantly contribute to the overall efficiency and sustainability of Europe's mobility system.

The motorcycle industry's Vision 2030 + includes a decarbonisation strategy that foresees the use of a range of technological solutions. Electric vehicles will play a central role in this strategy, although some two-wheeler segments currently remain very hard to electrify, particularly leisure-oriented vehicles.

This is mainly because current propulsion batteries for this segment remain large and heavy. This affects vehicles' handling and dynamics and requires significant trade-offs at the expense of range and convenience.

eFuels would be a perfect solution for those vehicle segments for which electrification remains challenging from a technical standpoint. eFuels would also be instrumental in reducing CO2 emissions from the legacy fleet of ICE two-wheelers in the EU and the UK, which currently amounts to about 40 million vehicles.

Event on the potential of eFuels for decarbonising the motorcycle industry

ACEM and the eFuel Alliance will also hold an open online event on 28 September 2022 to discuss how eFuels can support the decarbonisation of the two-wheeler fleet.

The event will also address the role of eFuels for vehicles used for long-distance commuting and travelling in remote areas, as well as other topics discussed in the recent ACEM-EFA position paper on eFuels.

Speakers will include experts from motorcycle OEMs, eFuel manufacturers and EU policy-makers.

Invitations to join the online event will be emailed and posted on social media in the coming days.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

Note

The eFuel Alliance is an interest group working for the political and social acceptance of eFuels and their approval. It represents more than 170 companies, associations and consumer organisations that are part of the eFuel production value chain.

The eFuel Alliance stands for fair competition and a level playing field for all relevant emission reduction solutions and is committed to greater climate protection. It also aims to raise awareness on how eFuels can significantly contribute to sustainability and climate protection.

The eFuel Alliance aims to enable the industrial production and widespread use of CO2-neutral fuels made from renewable energy sources.

To learn more about the eFuel Alliance, please visit: https://www.efuel-alliance.eu 

***

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe. ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies and 18 national industry associations.

ACEM manufacturing members, which include some of the largest multinationals in the sector, are BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor Holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda Motor Europe, Kawasaki Motors Europe, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Motorcycles, Piaggio Group, Polaris Industries, Qooder, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles, Yamaha Motor Europe and Zero Motorcycles.

The motorcycle sector in the EU and the UK supports about 389,000 jobs in different activities, including manufacturing vehicles, parts and accessories, personal protective equipment, and other motorcycle-related activities.

The motorcycle sector contributes about € 21.4 billion of GDP across Europe annually. All in all, every € 1 of GDP generated directly by motorcycle businesses supports another € 1.80 in other industries due to the various positive knock-on expenditure impacts.

To learn more about ACEM, please visit: https://www.acem.eu 

To learn more about ACEM's Vision 2030+, please visit: https://www.acem.eu/vision2030

 

ACEM position paper - Bridging the gap to climate neutrality. The case of eFuels for powered two-wheelers
07 Sep 2022

This position paper sheds light on the key questions regarding eFuel, its production and use. It has been prepared with the support of the eFuel Alliance. In parallel to the development and deployment of more electric vehicles on the market every year, ACEM members are continuing to reduce the level of CO2 emissions from traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs), still widely in use today and in the near future.

ACEM supports other carbon neutral energy carriers’ innovations. eFuel, in particular, should be developed with a production volume that supports decarbonisation of the existing fleet of ICE vehicles and for products for which electrification is not expected to be possible in the medium to long term (e.g. products used for long-distance commuting and travelling in remote areas).

ACEM would especially welcome the introduction of a % / volume mandate of low / zero carbon content fuels for road transport, as part of the coming Renewable Energy Directive revision.

Documents available to download

ACEM position paper - Bridging the gap to climate neutrality. The case of eFuels for powered two-wheelers [PDF]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

 

 

 

The CMC releases an in-depth study on detection of two-wheelers by Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
01 Sep 2022

A new white paper published by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) discusses the current state of automobile ADAS from a two-wheeler detection point of view. It also presents an evaluation of potential methods to improve PTW conspicuity and analyses previous relevant studies (e.g. current research, academic papers, technical reports, etc.).

Drivers of powered-two wheelers (PTWs) are vulnerable road users who require special attention from other road users due to the relatively small size of the vehicle. This issue has become even more important with car manufacturers introducing level 3 and 4 automated vehicles, with level 3 transferring (at least temporarily) the responsibility for vehicle control to the vehicle itself.

Motorcycle manufacturers are seriously concerned that this may lead to an increase in two-wheelers accidents, as car drivers start to become more dependent on Level 1 and 2 ADAS and less attentive to other vehicles around them. Motorcycle industry experts are also worried that modern cars lack robust enough equipment to correctly detect motorcycles.

Against this background, reliable detection of PTWs by passenger car ADAS is absolutely essential to avoid car-PTW collisions and to decrease the number of motorcycle accidents. Passenger cars must be able to appropriately recognize motorcycle manoeuvres in ordinary traffic, such as weaving in, leaning while cornering or splitting lanes.

Document available to download

Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) paper - Powered-two wheeler conspicuity [PDF]

Background information

• The Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) brings together motorcycle OEMs, suppliers, researchers and associations to make motorcycles part of the future connected mobility. CMC members are also working on creating synergies between on-board sensor systems and connectivity solutions.

• The CMC has launched a Basic Specification for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) for motorcycles in 2020. The CMC was created in 2016, building on the ACEM Memorandum of Understanding on C-ITS.

• Modern cars are increasingly equipped with on-board sensor systems (radars, cameras, etc.) and driver assistance systems. These vehicle systems need to include motorcycle requirements in order to enhance safety effects in mixed traffic conditions. The CMC believes that tailored motorcycle/car scenarios and tests need to be developed and standardized.

• The ACEM’s “How will automated cars impact motorcycle safety?” (2019) position paper explains why automation must, not only improve convenience for car drivers but also safety for all road users.

• MAIDS, the in-depth European motorcycle accident study, found that about 37% of all accidents involving other vehicles (OV) and motorcycles were linked to an OV driver perception failure. This means that the OV driver may have failed to see the motorcycle prior to the subsequent event that caused the accident.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

 

 

Registrations of motorcycles and mopeds in largest markets remain stable in the first 6 months of 2022
22 Aug 2022

Registrations of new motorcycles in five of the largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK) showed a slight decrease of 0.5% (532,980 units) during the first six months of 2022, compared to the same period of 2021 (532,460 units).

Some of the largest European motorcycle markets registered increases, including Germany (117,800 motorcycles registered, +1.7%) and Spain (91,870 units, +10.7%). Registrations decreased in France (108,000 units, -6.4%), Italy (161,500 units, -2.8%) and the UK (53,650 motorcycles registered, -2.3% compared to the first half of 2021).

The moped segment performed slightly better during the six months of 2022. Moped registrations reached a total of about 134,500 units in the six largest European moped markets (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain). This represents an increase of 1.0 % in comparison to the first six months of 2021.

Quote

Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“In recent months, two-wheeler sales have been affected by logistic disruptions at international level. This led to a backlog in vehicle deliveries in several European markets. Sales were also affected by rising energy costs and inflation, higher interest rates and broad economic uncertainty.”

“That said, registrations for mopeds and motorcycles in Europe remained stable in comparison to the first half of 2021. Due to their relatively low purchasing and running costs, two-wheelers have fared much better than other private means of transport.”

“We will know whether 2022 was a good year for our sector, when the aggregated figures for the first nine months of the year become available.”

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2022 [PDF]
ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2022 [XLS]
ACEM - Statistical releases - FAQ [PDF]
ACEM - Statistical releases - Glossary [PDF]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM Communications Manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

Contact us

European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers

Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée, 1 B1040
Brussels Belgium

+32 (0)22 30 97 32

VAT BE0740.931.926

Transparency register - 02480451230-88