Centre, Siam on a collision course over BS-V, BS-VI emission norms

The Centre's ambitious plan to implement the BS-V and BS-VI norms for four-wheelers seems to be stuck because of an inter-ministerial tangle, and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam).

While the road transport and highways ministry is keen to implement both norms in consecutive runs, within a fixed timeline, the petroleum & natural gas ministry is in favour of switching over directly to BS-VI from BS-IV, given the substantial investment required for a technological shift . Siam, on the other hand, wants a gradual shift and has demanded more time to switch over to vehicles compliant with BS-VI norms.

According to the road map laid down earlier in the auto fuel policy, BS-V norms are to be implemented from April 1, 2022, and BS-VI norms from April 1, 2024. However, in November last year, the road transport ministry issued a draft notification for implementation of BS-V and BS-VI norms for the automobile sector, covering the four-wheeler category. In the notification, the ministry advanced the date for implementation of the higher emission standards to reduce climate change and harmful effects on environment.

Accordingly, the ministry decided to implement the BS-V norms for new vehicle models from April 1, 2019, and those for existing vehicles April 1, 2020. Further, there was a proposal to implement BS-VI norms for new vehicle models from April 1, 2021, and for existing vehicle models April 1, 2022. The norms are aimed at substantially reducing vehicular pollution.

During a recent inter-ministerial meeting to resolve issues and fix a timeline for rollout of the BS-V and BS-VI emission norms, a consensus could not be reached between the ministries.

A road transport ministry official said: “The ministry is keen to implement the BS-V and BS-VI norms according to the deadline announced earlier. But, since a consensus could not be reached, it would follow a couple of round of consultation meetings before the final call is taken. We are working on an idea to extend the date by a year, making it 2020 instead of 2019 for BS-V, and 2022 instead of 2021 for BS-VI.”

According to sources, the petroleum ministry wants to leapfrog from BS-IV to BS-VI directly, but Siam wants a gradual shift, with an increased deadline for BS-VI.

On implementation of the BS-V and -VI norms, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said: "The BS-IV norms will cover a large part of the country by April 2016, and the remaining areas by April 2017. Technically, there is no difference between BS-V and BS-VI norms. Therefore, as a representative of the refining sector, we are in favour of switching over directly to BS-VI from BS-IV. Since there is hardly any difference between BS-V and BS-VI, why should the refineries be asked to invest in making the transition to BS-V and a second one to BS-VI? There is no BS-V in our dictionary.  We will move to BS-VI norms by 2020. This is our commitment as refiners."

The shift of technology from BS-IV to BS-VI will cost Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 to petroleum companies.

WHEN EMISSIONS FUEL DEBATE

• While the ministry of road, transport and highways is keen to implement both the norms in consecutive runs within a fixed timeline, the ministry of petroleum & natural gas is in favour of switching over directly to BS-VI from BS-IV
• Siam wants gradual shift in norms and has demanded more time to switch over to BS-VI compliant vehicles
• According to the road map earlier laid down by the auto fuel policy, BS–V norms would be implemented from April 1, 2022 and BS-VI from April 1, 2024
• However, in November last year, the road transport ministry issued a draft notification for implementation of BS-V and BS-VI norms for the automobile sector, covering the four-wheeler category
• The shift in technology from BS-IV to BS-VI will cost Rs 25,000-30,000 crore to the oil companies

The shift in technology from BS-IV to BS-VI will cost petroleum firms Rs 25,000-30,000 crore. According to Siam, while BS-V and BS-VI fuels are basically the same, the vehicular technologies are vastly different and have to be sequentially developed, tested and validated with each stage taking around four years.

Siam has stated that in order to switch over to BS-V norms, oil companies will have to introduce the BS-V fuel by 2019 across India before new-technology vehicles are introduced. In case of unavailability of the requisite fuel, the use of BS-IV fuel might damage the engine.

Siam has also proposed that the BS-VI norms be advanced to 2023. Vehicle manufacturers have expressed their inability to provide fully validated BS-VI solutions for all types and models of four-wheelers before 2023. They said introducing technologies without proper validation and testing on Indian roads would raise questions on several safety issues like car fires which can endanger human lives, and the significant risk should be avoided at all costs.