Auto industry fumes over Power Min plan to rate mileage The auto industry is miffed over a move by the Power Ministry to start rating passenger cars on the basis of fuel economy by next month, stating manufacturers are already making public the mileage of vehicles.
The nodal agency for implementing energy conservation programme, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is expected to implement rating of cars on the basis of fuel efficiency charging about Rs 200 per unit from manufacturers.
"A proposal is with the Power Ministry. It is likely to be approved soon and start by January. The energy efficiency rating of cars will be on a voluntary basis initially, and made mandatory later," a Power Ministry source said.
Consultations have been going on with the automobile industry on the issue for the past 3-4 months and the proposal was modified accordingly, another Power Ministry source said.
However, when contacted, a senior Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) official, said no such consultations took place on conditions of anonymity.
"No documents or papers ever reached us. It is being done single handedly by BEE," the official said, adding such ratings are unwelcome as manufacturers are making public and constantly upgrading mileage of their vehicles.
"What is the benefit that customers are going to get from the BEE rating?" the SIAM official said.
SIAM has already implemented a voluntary programme from April this year, under which all of its members declare mileage of their vehicles certified by the Automotive Research Association of India.
Last edited by WDM007 : 29th December 2009 at 13:52.
Reason: Title added
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