Rumour: India might jump straight to BS-VI emission norms

The Government of India is rumoured to be considering skipping a stage in emission norms and adopting BS-VI standards.

The authorities believe that oil companies can easily supply fuel necessary for BS-VI standards over the next few years. This is because the fuel quality specifications for BS-V and BS-VI standards are nearly the same. The authorities also believe that since local manufacturers such as Mahindra and Tata Motors have acquired some global carmakers, it would be easy for them to access the technology and knowhow necessary to update their engines in order to leapfrog one stage.

At present, 33 cities in India are following BS-IV norms, while the rest of the country is following BS-III standards. The entire country is to move to BS-IV standards by 2017. BS-V and BS-VI norms were to be adopted by 2020 and 2024, respectively. India is approximately 5 years behind Europe in emission norms. A leap from BS-IV to BS-VI will enable it to close this gap considerably.

However, the automobile industry believes that upgrades in emission norms and technology should be done in stages. Advancing the deadlines for the next stage in emission norms requires heavy investment. It is estimated that Rs. 50,000 crore would have to be invested in the four-wheeler segment for upgrading engines from BS-IV to BS-V standards.

Source: Economic Times