L'avenir est au 4 temps

Someday, hopefully far into the future, all snowmobiles will be powered by 4-strokes.

Don't get too upset - it has nothing to do with reality. At least, the reality that 4-strokes are better than 2-strokes.

Here's what you, as an enthusiast, have to be thinking about: With one stroke of the pen, the EPA could change the emissions criteria for power products and 2-strokes could be eliminated.

The fact is the current EPA rulebook gives the 2-stroke a free pass on nitrogen oxide emissions.

Today's most up-to-date stipulations are for hydrocarbon and monoxide emissions only. Presently, there are no requirements for oxides of nitrogen generated by a snowmobile engine.

This is not to say snowmobile engines are "dirty". The fact is, given the level of conformity we've done the last decade, the number of snowmobiles in use at any given time and the faraway, non-urban areas they're being ridden in, NOx emissions are incredibly minimal.

However, depending on the level of restriction the EPA could come up with, 2-strokes, yes, even the cleanest ones, have a tough time dealing with this form of emission.

Just to refresh, nitrogen oxide emissions are the very substances Volkswagen diesels got into so much trouble over recently.

The fact the EPA has red-flagged these emissions is cause for concern. The EPA has a history of picking the "softest targets" to lean the most heavily on and snowmobiling is vulnerable - as is the outboard industry and even the weed-whacker biz (lawn & garden). It's an easy way to make a big statement, without hitting the real polluters like the airline industry.

Polaris dorment au gaz point de vue 4 temps.