Centre Notified BS-VI auto emission norms
The Centre has notified the Bharat Stage
(BS)-VI emission standards for two-wheelers and four-wheelers from April 2020
across the country.
- With this, the government has
decided to skip the BS-V emission standards and move directly to BS-VI
from the BS-IV norms currently being followed in various cities.
- The Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways has given the Union Petroleum Ministry four years to make BS-VI
fuels available to auto companies.
- Oil companies will be investing
more than Rs.60,000 crore towards BS-VI fuels. BS-VI is the Indian
equivalent of the Euro-VI norms. At present, BS-IV norms are being
followed in over 30 cities while the rest of the country followBS-III
norms.
Background:
In a bid to curb vehicular pollution, the
government, in January 2016 decided to implement stricter emission norms of
Bharat Stage (BS) VI from April 1, 2020 by skipping BS-V altogether.
What are Bharat norms?
Introduced in the year 2000, the Bharat norms
are emission control standards put in place by the government to keep a check
on air pollution. Based on the European regulations (Euro norms), these
standards set specifications/limits for the release of air pollutants from
equipment using internal combustion engines, including vehicles. Typically, the
higher the stage, the more stringent the norms.
- The BS IV norms were introduced in
13 cities apart from the National Capital Region from April 2010.
Currently, BS IV fuel is being made available across the country in
stages, with the entire nation expected to be covered by April1 2017.
BS-VI Norms:
- The particulate matter emission in
BS-V and BS-VI is same for diesel cars though it is 80% less than BS IV.
- The nitrogen oxide (NOx) level is,
however, 55% less in BS-VI over BS-V which in itself is 28% lower than BS
IV.
- The sulphur content in fuel norms for diesel and petrol under both BS-V and -VI standards does not change at 10 ppm, though it is substantially less than 50 mandated for both the fuels under BS-IV.
