The Bharat Stage IV emission norms become effective from 2010 in India. Car makers in India are getting ready to meet these norms and are making their models compliant with these norms. Bharat Stage IV norms shall meet the standards of Euro IV and the regulations for the emission levels are already same for CNG and diesel models.
“By April 2010, BS-IV norms will come into force which will bring down emission levels. We are about four to six years behind the US and European norms,” said Pawan Goenka, President, SIAM. Dilip Chenoy, SIAM Director, added that it is better to stay behind as it helps the car makers in India to learn from their experiences. He cited the example of after treatment device which had to be fitted in the European models after the Euro-II and Euro-III norms were enforced. “European manufacturers then had to fit after-treatment devices, which adds to the cost. Indians optimised the engine without adding such devisor affecting costs. Hence, it is better we stay behind European norms,” said Mr Chenoy.
All the models slated for the launch this year and thereafter are being tested according to the global automotive emission norms. Most of the car makers are launching global models especially in the small car segment. Maruti Suzuki recently launched its latest global model, A-Star while Hyundai launched i20 in India.
SIAM is also working with the state government to phase out vehicles that are more than 8 years old instead of 15-year old models as they account for nearly 80 percent pollution in the country.
