Outline why electric motorcycles are regarded as a green design.

Discuss whether the development of the electric motorcycle is an example of technology push or technology transfer.

Explain two reasons why the quiet nature of electric motorcycles may provide negative psychological factors in the popularity for consumers.

Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a tool that assesses the impact of a product on the environment.

Explain how the environmental impact can be minimized during production, distribution and disposal of the electric motorcycle.

electric motorcycles use a battery/do not require fossil fuels to power the motor;
which limits the need for finite energy sources;

electric motorcycles do not emit harmful emissions/excessive noise during use (as they use a battery);
which reduces air/noise pollution; 

Award [1] for identifying why electric motorcycles are regarded as a green design and [1] for a development up to [2 max].

Do not award marks across clusters.

technology push because it underpins new ideas (electric motors and batteries);

technology transfer because battery technology has been applied to the development of different types of products/systems (electric motorcycle);

it is more likely to be technology push as there are strong drivers for the development of electric vehicles;

Award [1] for identifying why the development of the electric motorcycle is an example of technology push up to [1 max].

Award [1] for identifying why the development of the electric motorcycle is an example of technology transfer up to [1 max].

Award [1] for a concluding statement up to [1 max].

some motorcyclists prefer motorcycles being noisy;
sound provides appeal for certain (brands of) motorcycles;
quiet electric motorcycles may therefore lead to reduced sales;

quiet motorcycles may be regarded as being less safe;
as pedestrians/other road users cannot hear the motorcycle coming (in traffic);
causing potential risk/danger/injury to the rider/other road users;

Award [1] for each of three distinct points in an explanation of two ways the quiet nature of electric motorcycles may provide negative psychological factors in the popularity for consumers up to [3 max].

Mark as [3] + [3].

Production:

materials for the components can be sourced from recycled materials;
reducing the requirement for raw materials;
meaning less energy is required to produce the electric motorcycle;

automated production/robotic systems;
minimises errors/increases efficiency in production;
resulting in less (material and energy) waste produced;

Distribution:

the materials/components could be sourced from local manufacturers;
reducing the amount of transportation required;
resulting in less CO2 emissions;

the motorcycles could be designed to be assembled at the point of sale;
individual parts of the motorcycle take less space during transportation/distribution;
so more motorcycles can be shipped per container;

Disposal:

the electric motorcycle can be designed for disassembly;
allowing the materials/components to be separated easily;
for repair/maintenance/reuse/re-engineering/re-conditioning/recycling;

the manufacturer may consider using product recovery strategies;
by the use of standard/recyclable components;
which would reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill;

Award [1] for each of three distinct points of how the environmental impact can be minimised during production of the electric motorcycle up to [3 max].

For production, do not accept 'recyclable' or 'renewable' materials.

Award [1] for each of three distinct points of how the environmental impact can be minimised during distribution of the electric motorcycle up to [3 max].

Award [1] for each of three distinct points of how the environmental impact can be minimised during disposal of the electric motorcycle up to [3 max].

Do not award marks across clusters.

Mark as [3] + [3] + [3].

Quite a straightforward question for 2 marks but most candidates only achieved 1 mark. There were quite a few cross cluster responses here. In cluster two very few specified air/noise in reference to pollution.

A very challenging question, not well answered and very difficult to achieve any marks although a number of candidates did manage to achieve one mark if they could identify the meaning of either technology push or transfer. This question was made more difficult by the use of discuss as a command term.

A good discriminator for those who understood psychological factors and those who did not. The first cluster provided a few opportunities for marks but many students could not form a coherent response. The second cluster was easier to get 2 or 3 marks if the candidate identified the safety consideration. A few mentioned things like emotional connection and elements of the four pleasure framework but not relevant, as this is Topic 7.

An accessible question which provided potential for marks across all three clusters but was not well answered. Candidates responded best to the disposal cluster, quite well to production but not well to distribution. Many answers in distribution referred to using trucks powered by electric motors for transportation and minimising packaging. In production there was also mention of using a JIT strategy which is Topic 10 and therefore couldn't be considered.