Government To Implement BS-VI Emission Norms For Motorcycles

The Union government is going ahead with its decision to enforce particulate matter emission standards and onboard diagnostic system for bikes and three-wheelers.

The ministry of road transport and highways had informed us about implementation of the BSVI emissions standards for all vehicles by 2020. Along with the change in emission norms for four-wheelers, the government will also the new norms for two- and three-wheelers too.

For the first time in India, the hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions for two and three-wheelers will be regulated separately. As of now, the regulations permit a higher NOx emission from two-wheelers. Once the new norms are implemented, the two-wheelers will also come equipped with an onboard diagnostic system which will alert the rider about harmful emissions.

According to the Investment and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited (IICRA India), prices of two-wheelers is expected to witness a hike of Rs. 5,000-6,000 when the new norms implemented. The hike in price is due to the introduction of electronic fuel injection (EFI) system and a new exhaust system. Currently, the two-wheelers running on Indian roads follow BS-III emission norms.

New Delhi's Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has replied to the government's notification, saying it's a step in the right direction. Given the sheer numbers of two-wheelers in the country, their contribution to atmospheric pollution in the cities are high. This can be controlled once the BS-VI norms are implemented.

Last year, there was a 35.71% increase from the levels in 2010. The emission expected to multiply this year. Pune, having a high density of two-wheelers, lies among the top cities in vehicular pollution chart.

According to the Centre for Science and Environment, Euro VI standards will reduce the gap between diesel and petrol emissions. Under the current emissions norms, diesel cars are permitted to emit three times more NOx than petrol cars. Under the new norms, this difference will reduce to 1.3 times under.

The BS-VI norms will also reduce the cancer-causing potential of the diesel engines. Now, for the first time, diesel fuel with 10ppm sulphur will come to India.