I often hear a proportion of the riders I speak to say, “Hydrogen will keep ICE motorcycles alive.” The argument is entirely logical—until you fully understand the government’s mindset. They’ve boxed themselves into a corner with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, and their stance is clear: hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) don’t fit their vision. The reasoning? It’s narrow, muddled, and screws over motorcyclists. Here’s why.
The Policy’s Core: ZEV Mandate Locks Out H2-ICE
The UK’s push for zero tailpipe emissions isn’t just a slogan—it’s codified in the ZEV mandate, designed to phase out combustion engines. For cars, it sets strict quotas: manufacturers must sell a rising percentage of fully electric vehicles—22% by 2024, climbing to 80% by 2030. No wiggle room, no alternatives. Hydrogen ICE? Not mentioned. Why? Because burning hydrogen, even cleanly, produces nitrogen oxides (NOx) and trace CO2 from engine oil. Policymakers I’ve grilled say that’s enough to disqualify it. The mandate’s laser focus on electric-only solutions—backed by draconian fines of £12,000 for every ICE sold beyond a ratcheting quota between now and 2030—shows H2-ICE isn’t just overlooked; it’s deliberately excluded. A University of Oxford study suggests H2-ICE could still slash emissions, but that’s not the point—zero means zero to them.
Conflating Air Pollution and Climate Goals
The policy’s a mess because it mashes together two problems: air pollution and climate change. NOx from H2-ICE is an air quality issue—think urban smog, not melting ice caps. Fair enough, it’s a pollutant worth cutting. But motorcycles barely register compared to cars and factories. Meanwhile, the trace CO2 ties to climate targets, a different fight entirely. The ZEV mandate doesn’t care—it demands zero tailpipe emissions across the board, no nuance allowed. It’s a blunt hammer when a scalpel would do. MAG’s Riders’ Resistance Weekend calls for rules that don’t punish riders for problems we didn’t create.
Short-Sighted Absolutism
Why not let H2-ICE bridge the gap while EV tech matures? I’ve asked, and policymakers just shrug. The ZEV mandate’s all-or-nothing approach—electric or nothing—kills innovation dead. H2-ICE could evolve, cutting emissions further, but it’s dead on arrival under this regime. For motorcyclists, it’s daft—EVs are being forced upon us without considering if they’re the best fit for our nimble, practical machines. Rural riders, couriers, the industry—all take a bigger hit than car drivers. No one’s getting a choice here; the single-option EV path is shielded from scrutiny, competition, or challenge by this rigid policy. MAG’s Riders’ Resistance Weekend demands a rethink: policies that work for us, not against us.
The Bottom Line
I apologize for bursting the hydrogen bubble—I may be using the pin, but the government has forced it into my hand, and I must use it. The ZEV mandate locks out H2-ICE, conflating air and climate goals while betting everything on electric. It’s rigid, unfair, and blind to motorcycling’s reality. Hopefully, this pop will wake more complacent riders to the need to support Riders’ Resistance Weekend. Join us—let’s push for a policy that doesn’t leave riders stranded.
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