SIAM Says Implementing BS VI Emission Norms by 2021 is Unrealistic

Apparently earlier last month, the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways decided to advance the implementation date for better emission standards for four wheelers. In its statement, the Ministry said it has issued the draft notification to roll out the BS-V norms from April 1, 2019 and BS-VI norms from April 1, 2021 onwards.

Also Read: BS-VI Engine Regulations to Roll Out by 2021

SIAM said that implementing the BS VI emission norms by 2021 will neither be technically possible or advisable due to the extensive testing and validation of the technologies involved. The body even highlighted the challenges that will be faced in doing so and suggested that its will be more beneficial to advance the BS VI norms to the AFP Committee's recommended date of April 2024. The body even proposed that the BS VI norms can be advanced to 2023 by compressing the technology development time by one year.

Sharing his view on the same Vinod Dasari, President, SIAM said, "Upgradation to BS V norms would reduce the pollution levels from the 4-wheeler industry by 80% in terms of PM and NOx will be reduced by 60 %, thereby, making huge contributions to the ambient air quality of Indian cities. We are happy that SIAM's recommendation to advance the BS V timeline to 2019 has been accepted by the Government."

SIAM did welcome the move to advance the BS V norms to April 2019, but raised its concerns about the requisite fuel availability by that time. SIAM said that "For the country, in order to switch over to BS V norms, the requisite 10 PPM sulphur BS V fuel will have to be introduced by the oil companies by 2019 across India before the new technology vehicles are introduced."