Bharat Stage IV – BS 4 Norms.

In another step towards a greener technology, the government recently unveiled the Bharat Stage IV - BS 4 norms. The previous Bharat Stage I norms initiated a decade earlier and the subsequent Bharat Stage II norm, ensured a shift from carburetors to fuel injection and other advanced technologies in the automobile sector at that time. The new norms are sure to bring emission norms close to that in European countries. The government has fixed a deadline of April 2010, almost an entire year for the automobile majors to implement the necessary changes in their products.

Apparently this is an expensive fix for some cars like the Hindustan Motors' Ambassador. Other auto majors, it seems, are more prepared. Maruti says that only fixing the Alto and 800 are expensive. It maintains that all other models require only minor up gradation in the engine and exhaust system. Considering the economic meltdown and the ever looming recession, the task is still formidable for any automobile company.