May have to discontinue small cars if CAFE targets unjust: Maruti

Maruti Suzuki warns that unworkable CAFE-3 emission targets could force small, low-emission cars off the road, urging realistic norms and pushing back against industry claims on safety and exemptions

Cars weighing less than 909kg would have to be discontinued if the carbon dioxide emissions target under upcoming CAFE-3 norms are “unscientific and unjust”, Rahul Bharti, senior executive officer (Corporate Affairs), Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), said on Monday.

 

The CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) framework sets average carbon-dioxide (CO2) emission targets that each automaker’s fleet must meet, measured in grams per kilometre (g/km). If a company fails to meet its target, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) can impose stiff penalties.

 

“First of all, this benefit of 3 g/km (for cars weighing less than 909 kg) is a very small