The Best Gas Efficient Mopeds and Motorcycles

Scooters and mopeds provide high fuel-efficiency and convenient transportation.scooter image by dead_account from Fotolia.com

One area in which the pursuit of more fuel-efficient transportation has become highly popular is that of mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. The largest of motorcycles tend to have higher MPG than most compact cars and, with the application of new technologies, aerodynamics and other engineering techniques, fuel efficiency can be increased even further, providing a cleaner and cheaper mode of transportation for those who can ride mopeds and motorcycles.

Electric Scooters and Motorcycles

Plug-in scooters range in size and classification, from electric-assisted bicycles and so-called "toy scooters," which do not exceed 20 mph and are limited to use on sidewalks and bike paths, to full-sized motorcycles that achieve highway speeds, travel greater distances and require the same driving endorsements as traditional gas-powered motorcycles. Electric toy scooters are often available at warehouse stores such as Target or Walmart and are also sometimes offered by manufacturers of larger gas and electric scooters, such as X-Treme Scooters. A number of full-sized electric motorcycles are available as well, most notably from manufacturers such as Vectrix and Zero Motorcycles.

Hybrid battery technology can be adapted from the larger systems used in hybrid cars and implemented in motorcycles and scooters to boost the already high fuel efficiency of these vehicles to as high as 200 MPG. Hybrid scooters and motorcycles feature small engines boosted during acceleration by powerful electric motors, and they can be charged either by plugging them in, utilizing regenerative breaking or a combination of both, depending on the model and manufacturer. Two prominent manufacturers of hybrid scooter are the Chinese company Veken and Italian manufacturers Piaggio, known primarily for their traditional Vespa line.

Scooters, mopeds and some motorcycles are designed with engine sizes of 250cc or less, which consume less gas than their larger motorcycle counterparts. Depending on engine size, vehicle design and rider weight, these smaller vehicles will average between 70 and 100 MPG with normal use. Mopeds are distinguished from larger bikes in that their engine size does not exceed 50cc, their speed does not exceed 30 mph and they only accommodate one rider. These restrictions also make them the most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicle that can legally be operated on city streets.