Bharat Stage VI -Cleanest Fuel in Delhi to Reduce Pollution

Though Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the country will leap to BS-VI ( skipping BS V)  directly from 01/04/2020. But Delhi government has announced to bring BS VI engine oil by April 2018. Delhi will become first state of India to start BS VI engine oil. This step is taken to curb pollution of Delhi NCR.

India has the most polluted cities in the world. According to WHO data (2016), 30 Indian cities figure in the Top 100 Most Polluted Global Cities (in terms of particulate matter PM10). Air pollution claims at least 10,000-30,000 lives a year in Delhi. It is one of the top 10 killers in the world and the fifth leading cause of death in India, said the study titled Body Burden 2015: State of India’s Health.

What are BS(Bharat Stage) Norms?

• Bharat Stage emission standards, introduced in 2000 are based on European regulations.

• These emission standards  have been set by the Indian government to regulate the output of air pollutants (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide and particulate matter) from engine motor vehicles.

• The norms are changed from time to time as per the standards set up by the Central Pollution Control Board, under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change.

• Bharat Stage IV emission standards were put in 13 major cities in April 2010.

• BS-IV norms came into effect nationwide from April 2017.

• Currently, only 50 cities in India get BS-IV fuel, while the rest still use BS-III fuel.

• BS-IV and BS-V emissions norms in terms of particulate matter are same, BS-VI will give us the big reduction in both particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions.

• BS-VI will bring down Nitrous oxide emissions by 25% in petrol engine vehicle and by 68% in diesel engine vehicles. Particulate matter is expected to come down drastically by over 80% in diesel engine vehicles.

• Motorcycle and scooter makers follow BS-III emission standards.

Points of concern using Bharat Stage VI Fuel

• Autofirms, parts makers, and oil refiners will end up spending anything between Rs.70,000 crore and Rs.90,000 crore on the change.

• BS-VI directly will require significant technological upgrades and auto companies may have to invest Rs.40,000-60,000 crore to do so.
• Increase in costs of four wheelers.