2 - strokes - what's the rules?

[ontheplane]

Hi there,

I am interested to know what the current issues are with new 2-stroke outboards.

I know they've pretty much disappeared from the market - and I thought this was because of the emissions, however I've seen a company making them in China and claiming they are CE Certified.

If they are CE certified, does this mean they do meet EU emission regs and if so can they be sold here?

If they don't meet the emissions regs, how can they be CE approved??

I don't think they have fancy electronic injection like the FICHT type motors, so I assume they won't meet the legislations.


Anyone know exactly what the rules are now?

 

[mike_1982]

I think its for Commercial use only!

Mike

 

[VicS]

The familiar carburetted and EFI 2 stroke outboards do not met the new emissions regulations for recreational use, hence their demise although existing engines and stock of new engines held on 1 Jan 2007 are not affected. Nor are engines for commercial use.

Engines which do meet the requirements of the regulations have been and are being developed. The Evinrude E Tech range for example.

It is likely that only the larger sizes will be developed

I assume the Chinese engines you have seen comply with the new regulations.

EXHAUST & NOISE EMISSIONS STANDARDS ETC..

Emissions Regulations: The Truth There has been, and still is a lot of serious misinformation concerning the EU 2006 emission regulations. Firstly, these are the ONLY regulations that affect recreational outboards sold in the UK and the rest of the EU. Regarding NEW outboard motors, only new technology (Direct Injection) spark ignition two stroke (for example, the Evinrude E-TEC range), spark ignition four stroke and compression ignition engines meet the new standards and are the only outboards which may be manufactured within, or imported into the EU now. Spark ignition means all engines powered by petrol / gas, whilst compression ignition means engines powered by diesel. HOWEVER, contrary to popular belief, ALL outboard motors in use prior to the implementation of the new standard CAN continue to be used until they fall apart! The new directive does NOT BAN USE of conventional 2-STROKES. Not only that, but ALL UNSOLD non-compliant 2-stroke outboards which were already in the EU before 1st January 2007 (for non-compliant four strokes, the date was one year before) may still be BOUGHT, SOLD AND USED. Second-hand outboards will still be able to be sold in the normal manner. It has always been possible that an authority in charge of a particular area may impose their own local regulations. This applies primarily on inland waterways, and is most common on reservoirs, which often ban all engines except electric. So to reiterate, EVERY outboard motor in the EU prior to the implementation of the new standard CAN be bought, sold and used under the EU 2006 emissions directive. e.&.o.e. ©
EU 2006 Standard EU 2006 Emissions Standards Label represents conformity to the EU emissions standards proposed by the Commission of the European Communities on 12th October 2000. IT IS THE ONLY EMISSION STANDARD THAT AFFECTS UK AND EU ENGINES. All other emission standards are irrelevant for the UK and the rest of the EU (for example EPA 2006, CARB 2004 /2008). The EU2006 standards will only affect the SUPPLY of NEW outboards for ‘RECREATIONAL’ use. By ‘recreational’, the regulators exclude engines for commercial registered vessels and racing engines. This text only is only with regard to recreational engines. ALL engines sold PRIOR to the full implementation of the standards on the dates shown below, may continue to be used. Effectively, after 31st December 2006, any NEW spark ignition two stroke outboard motor which does not meet the EU 2006 standards, (basically conventional carburettor / E.F.I. 2-strokes) will cease to be imported / manufactured into the EU. However, any engines held in stock by EU importers or dealers, which have been tax paid, are exempt, in the same way as though they had been sold prior to the regulations. Equally, only spark ignition four stroke and compression ignition (diesel) outboards, which meet the regulations, may be sold from 31st December 2005, with the same exemption about stock units. It should be noted that the spark ignition four stroke and compression ignition engines are required to meet the regulations a year earlier than spark ignition 2-strokes. (For more details see "Emissions: The Truth") Unlike the EPA and CARB standards, the EU 2006 standard covers three constituents of exhaust emissions, and noise levels. The exhaust emissions included are nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons (as included in EPA & CARB standards) plus carbon monoxide. Consequently the EU 2006 standard is the most difficult to attain compared with EPA and CARB. Unlike the US standards that allow a percentage of ‘dirty’ engines to be sold, the EU 2006 standard will affect EVERY NEW engine sold in the EU. The EU 2006 standard is also the only standard that also covers noise levels for outboards. It should be noted that the EU2006 standard also affects inboard engines in a similar manner to outboards. e.&.o.e. ©


Model EU 2006 Standard Description EU 2006 Emissions Standards Label represents conformity to the EU emissions standards proposed by the Commission of the European Communities on 12th October 2000. IT IS THE ONLY EMISSION STANDARD THAT AFFECTS UK AND EU ENGINES. All other emission standards are irrelevant for the UK and the rest of the EU (for example EPA 2006, CARB 2004 /2008). The EU2006 standards will only affect the SUPPLY of NEW outboards for ‘RECREATIONAL’ use. By ‘recreational’, the regulators exclude engines for commercial registered vessels and racing engines. This text only is only with regard to recreational engines. ALL engines sold PRIOR to the full implementation of the standards on the dates shown below, may continue to be used. Effectively, after 31st December 2006, any NEW spark ignition two stroke outboard motor which does not meet the EU 2006 standards, (basically conventional carburettor / E.F.I. 2-strokes) will cease to be imported / manufactured into the EU. However, any engines held in stock by EU importers or dealers, which have been tax paid, are exempt, in the same way as though they had been sold prior to the regulations. Equally, only spark ignition four stroke and compression ignition (diesel) outboards, which meet the regulations, may be sold from 31st December 2005, with the same exemption about stock units. It should be noted that the spark ignition four stroke and compression ignition engines are required to meet the regulations a year earlier than spark ignition 2-strokes. (For more details see "Emissions: The Truth") Unlike the EPA and CARB standards, the EU 2006 standard covers three constituents of exhaust emissions, and noise levels. The exhaust emissions included are nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons (as included in EPA & CARB standards) plus carbon monoxide. Consequently the EU 2006 standard is the most difficult to attain compared with EPA and CARB. Unlike the US standards that allow a percentage of ‘dirty’ engines to be sold, the EU 2006 standard will affect EVERY NEW engine sold in the EU. The EU 2006 standard is also the only standard that also covers noise levels for outboards. It should be noted that the EU2006 standard also affects inboard engines in a similar manner to outboards. e.&.o.e. ©​

 

[ontheplane]

I doubt they do! I think it's the Chinese just blagging it - I can't see their little 5hp motor meeting all those regs!

Was what I thought

 

[VicS]

You did not say you were talking about a 5HP engine!