Welcome BS V by 2019, BS VI in 2021-22 unrealistic: SIAM

Upgradation to BS V norms will reduce pollution levels from 4-wheeler industry by 80%

Automobile industry body SIAM today welcomed Government's move to implement BS V emission norms by 2019 but termed as "unrealistic" bringing BS VI in 2021-22.

"We are happy that SIAM's recommendation to advance the BS V timeline to 2019 has been accepted by the government", Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Vinod Dasari said in a statement.

Upgradation to BS V norms would reduce pollution levels from 4-wheeler industry by 80% in terms of particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) for heavy commercial vehicles and 90% for passenger cars, he said.

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) will be reduced by 60% and 64% for heavy commercial vehicles and passenger cars respectively, thereby making huge contributions to the ambient air quality of Indian cities, Dasari said.

On the issue of upgradation to BS VI level by 2021-22, SIAM said it is "unrealistic".

"SIAM has proposed that the BS VI norms can be advanced to 2023 by compressing the technology development time by one year. Any further advancement of BS VI norms will neither be technically possible nor advisable due to the extensive testing and validation of the technologies", it said.

Technology Providers have expressed their inability to provide fully validated BS VI solutions for all types and models of 4-wheelers before 2023, it said.

"Introducing technologies without proper validation and testing on the Indian roads will raise questions on several safety issues, such as car fires which can endanger human lives and significant risk that should be avoided at all costs", SIAM said.

Dasari said: "We are confident that government will take a holistic view keeping in mind the imperatives of both, emissions as well as safety, before taking a final decision on the subject matter."

Intense discussions have already been held with various ministries over the last six months, Dasari said, adding SIAM had highlighted challenges versus benefits of advancing the BS VI norms from the AFP (auto fuel policy) Committee recommended date of April 2024.

Drawing attention to the significance of availability of fuel to comply with for stricter emission norms, SIAM said for the country 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.

In case of unavailability of the requisite fuel, use of BS IV fuel might damage the engine as well as the after-treatment devices fitted in the new vehicle, Dasari said.

"Also, this might vitiate the new technology benefits and the expected improvements in air quality. If the vehicle and fuel is not compatible, the higher emission norms cannot be met", he added.