Automakers seek deferment in new emission norms implementation

As per the Bharat III norms for two wheelers, the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons plus oxides of nitrogen emission have to be brought down from 1.50 (g/km) to 1.0 (g/km) from April 1. File Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Even as the Government is gearing-up to implement the new emission norms for automobile industry from April automobile manufacturers have shown concern about the availability of the required fuel.

“The automobile industry is ready to follow the new emission norms from April 1, but the fuel is not available. We have requested the Government for a deferment of the date till the fuel becomes available,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Mahindra & Mahindra (Automotive Division), President, Pawan Goenka, told PTI here.

From April 1 onwards, India will adopt stricter emission norms under which 13 major cities will upgrade to BS IV from BS III and the rest of the country would move up from BS II to BS III as per the recommendations of the Mashelkar Committee for the control of pollution.

“The new emission norms have forced automakers to replace some old technology in vehicles to meet statutory emission requirements. We have been preparing for a long time to meet the challenge,” Goenka said.

As per the Bharat III norms for two wheelers, the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons plus oxides of nitrogen emission have to be brought down from 1.50 (g/km) to 1.0 (g/km) from April 1.

Earlier, the introduction of Bharat Stage I and II norms forced auto-makers in India to replace the conventional carburettor fuel system in vehicles with the modern fuel injection technology to meet statutory emission requirements.

“Many of the older cars currently in use would need major changes in their engines and exhaust systems. New models would be relatively easy to upgrade,” Ernst & Young’s National Head (Automotive Sector), Rakesha Batra, said.

“The Government may postpone the April 1 date by at least six-months as the required oil is not available. The good thing is that the auto industry is ready,” Batra said.

Fiat India’s President and CEO, Rajeev Kapoor, said the automobile industry is ready to meet the new emission standards.

“The new emission norms are likely to take India closer to European standards in terms of exhaust emitted by vehicles,” Kapoor said.

Asia Motorworks’ Managing Director, Anirudh Bhuwalka, said “(even) with the implemention of the BS-IV norms, India is still not advanced as compared to other countries to bring down emission level. We are still behind the US and European norms, we should learn from their experience,” he said.