Two Wheelers to get Stricter Emission Standards

Recently, Odd-Even rule was applied in New Delhi to reduce the high level of pollution in the Indian Capital.  Though this ban was for four wheelers now, the government is planning to also include the two-wheelers and is all geared up to tighten up emission norms for two-wheelers. Reports are that the government could disclose the stricter standards for two-wheeler by this week. In India, two-wheelers are the most selling machines and are also responsible for the air pollution just like the petrol cars.

Presently, in the country approximately 80% of vehicles sold yearly are two-wheelers and they produce approx four to five times extra NOx (oxides of nitrogen) in comparison to petrol cars. Earlier this month, Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister, had declared the year 2020 as the deadline for the roll out of BS-VI emission norms. Further, he also said that these norms should apply to all vehicles.

According to the reports, the government is yet to describe whether the BS-VI standards will apply to two-wheeled machines or not. A government official said that "Studies have suggested that pollution caused by two-wheelers is very high in cities such as Delhi. While we support the industry as it is a vehicle for middle-income groups, two-wheelers need to comply with stricter emission norms”.

Emission norms in two-wheelers are expected to be reinforced soon. In the fiscal year 2014-2015,  1.97 crore vehicles were sold and of these 1.6 crores were two-wheelers. The figures are almost same as the last fiscal year 2013-14. Earlier, the two-wheeler manufacturers were against the proposal of stricter norms for NOx emissions in Euro-IV standards, as they claimed that this will reduce the mileage.

As per the government's norms, a BS-IV petrol car has an NOx emission limit that is 0.08 gram/km but for a two-wheeler machine, it is 0.39 gram/km. The government have notified that BS-IV norms for two-wheeled machines will be effective from April 2016 for new machines and for existing models it will become effective from April 2017.

Also Read: Over 18,000 Electric Bikes Used in Delhi During Odd-Even Rule Period