The DGT also grants environmental labels to motorcycles to distinguish them based on their level of pollution. This classification, as happens with cars, is carried out based on the propulsion technology they are equipped with and not according to their emissions figure - a criterion that the OCU has been denouncing for years as being unfair.
Thus, in the case of motorcycles and mopeds, there is the B sticker, which corresponds to the models with gasoline engines approved according to the Euro 2 emissions regulations (since 2003); C, which designates those adapted to Euro 3 and Euro 4 (since 2006); 0 emissions, basically for electric units – also plug-in hybrids with an electric range of more than 40 km, but there are no motorcycles with this propulsion system for sale; and Eco, which distinguishes hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids with less than 40 km of electric range and those powered by gas.
However, motorcycle manufacturers have not opted for these latest types of technology, so the market essentially offers gasoline internal combustion models - there is no diesel - and electric models. This explains why there are no motorcycles that bear the Eco badge in Spain. Although some brands – very few – have developed a hybrid model, these have been very residual and have not come to form a specific segment.
However, Kawasaki will market its first hybrid models in 2024: at the beginning of the year the Ninja 7 HEV will arrive at dealerships, while a few months later the naked-style Ninja Z7 HEV will do so. Both share the same propulsion system, which combines a 451 cc parallel twin-cylinder water-cooled engine and an electric one.
They have three driving modes, selectable depending on the needs of the moment. Thus, the EV allows you to travel up to 12 kilometers using only electricity (when the energy runs out, it is the vehicle itself that recharges the battery while driving; there is no need to plug it in as it is self-rechargeable).
In the Eco-Hybrid, the electric drive works together with the gasoline drive. In this mode, the user has the option to manually shift the gears of the six-speed semi-automatic transmission. To do this, they have cams on the left handlebar (there is no clutch control).
Finally, the sports car unleashes the full potential of the electric and gasoline engines with the addition of an "E-Boost" function (via a switch on the right handlebar) that harnesses all the available power in a short burst of five seconds to lightning-fast acceleration from a standstill or greater thrust while driving.
Other innovations include idle stop (the internal combustion engine stops to save fuel and reduce emissions), ALPF (Automatic Launch Position Finder, which returns the transmission to first gear when downshifting). the speed until stopping) and the "walk mode" (allows you to go forward and backward to facilitate maneuvers and parking at low speed).
Both the Kawasaki Ninja 7 HEV and the Ninja Z7 HEV enjoy the benefits of the DGT Eco label to circulate in low-emission zones. Furthermore, as they are self-charging hybrid mounts, they do not have the autonomy limitations that electric models present, which are also conditioned by the availability of chargers. On long distance trips, as long as there is a gas station on the route, these Kawasakis will be able to continue rolling without limit.
