Bharat Stage VI

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Central government has decided to skip Bharat Stage-V emission norms and leapfrog to Bharat Stage-VI countrywide by April 2020. Bharat Stage-IV fuel is available in whole of north India, and the rest of the country gets BS-III grade fuel.

India follows Euro norms which specify maxium emission limits for CO2, nitrogen oxide, sulfur and suspended particulate matter. CO emissions are Carbon Monoxide emissions, more evident in petrol engines. Long-term exposure can prevent oxygen transfer and increase headaches/nausea. HC emissions are Hydrocarbons which are again more prevalent in Petrol engines.

Short term exposure can cause headaches, vomiting and disorientation. NOx emissions are Nitrogen Oxide emissions which are more prevalent in Diesel engines. Long Term exposure can cause Nose and eye irritation and damage lung tissue. PM is Particulate matter, again more prevalent in a Diesel engine.

Long Term exposure can harm the respiratory tract and reduce lung function. The phasing out of 2 stroke engine for two wheelers, the stoppage of production of Maruti 800 & introduction of electronic controls have been due to the regulations related to vehicular emissions. The Bharat standards were first introduced in 2000.

Progressively stringent norms have been rolled out since then. It is being reported that automobile manufacturers would have to pump in close to Rs 50,000 crore for fitting diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction(SCR) in a phased manner to upgrade from BS IV to BS VI.

According to icct.org, the case for expediting progress to Bharat VI standards, which are based on the European Euro 6/VI standards, is supported by five main considerations: Superior technical design relative to the 5/V emission standards; Measurement of in-use emissions reveal that Euro VI standards achieve a much greater reduction in NOx emissions from Euro IV/V levels than the emissions limits alone would indicate; By 2020, the emission control technology needed to meet Euro 6/VI standards will be in its fourth generation, with minimal impact on fuel efficiency; A scrappage program for heavy commercial vehicles can create economic incentives necessary to alleviate automobile industry concerns about impact on vehicle sales; and Economic benefits of advancing Bharat VI standards far outweigh costs, and fully justify investments made in supplying ultra-low sulfur fuel.