Mercedes-Benz Plans To Shift To BS-VI By 2018; Hybrids Will Come Later

Mercedes-Benz India has said that it is currently focused on achieving Bharat Stage VI a.k.a. BS-VI compliance for its cars in the country before it could think about launching plug-in hybrids. The information was shared with Carandbike.com on the side lines of the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E220d. When asked about the company's plans to bring plug-in hybrids to the country, Roland Folger Mercedes, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said, "Instead of only taking the hybrid route, where the savings on (fuel) consumption, or for instance, on emission is limited, what we see as a much more stronger lever to basically bring down emissions, is definitely going to Bharat Stage VI."

This statement contradicts some previous reports that claimed the company intends to introduce plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles in India by 2018. This indicates that the company has postponed its plans to introduce hybrids and is now aiming to go to Bharat Stage VI by 2018, before the official shift that is slated for 2020. Commenting on the same Folger said, "We have clearly indicated that as soon as possible, as early as 2018, we would be going to Bharat Stage VI and then we'll talk about also the introduction of hybrids."

Mercedes-Benz India head, Roland Folger, says they plan to shift to BS6 by 2018

On the other hand, talking about emission rates and fuel consumption, Folger added, "If you compare simply numbers, with the introduction or move from Bharat Stage IV to Bharat Stage VI, your particulate matter will be reduced by 60 per cent, and your NOx will be reduced by 82 per cent. These figures are significantly higher, for instance than any savings that you can ever generate with any plug-in hybrids or hybrids. So, for us, the short-term future is always going to be bringing Bharat Stage VI first and then also follow up logically with hybrids"

Earlier, Folger had clarified that the current fuel quality available in the country does not make it viable to be used in highly advanced hybrid engines from Mercedes-Benz. This is why the company would rather wait it out until 2018 or later when the BSVI norms come into effect. Also Mercedes' international portfolio is already compliant with the Euro 6 norms, which is not very different from BS-6. This indicates that the shift from BS-4 to BS-6 in India will not be very difficult.