Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Thursday said its members will start disclosing the fuel efficiency ratings of their models comparable with their rivals from October this year.
“SIAM has announced the scheme for voluntary fuel efficiency labelling for vehicles. This label, which will be implemented from October 1, would provide information to consumers on the comparative fuel efficiency of vehicles in different categories,” SIAM President Pawan Goenka said at its annual convention here.
Automakers had voluntarily started disclosing the mileage of their own vehicles since last year and the government has geared up to make the process a mandatory one.
“This will allow consumers to make the right choice of vehicles depending on their individual needs...It would encourage and promote lower fuel consumption,” Mr. Goenka said.
The industry was earlier reluctant to accept the mandatory disclosure of fuel efficiency level, but now it is prepared to do so, he added. “The industry is willing and prepared to accept mandatory fuel efficiency standard. As a starting point, we invite the government to formally adopt the mandatory requirement,” Mr. Goenka said.
The government had said a mandatory fuel efficiency standard for auto makers will be introduced under the Energy Conservation Act by the Power Ministry.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha last week, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister of State Arun Yadav said: “...the notification of the standards will be made under the Energy Conservation Act by the Ministry of Power/Bureau of Energy Efficiency, in consultation with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.”
