The Indian government is set to unveil the draft of the BS-VII (Bharat Stage VII) emission norms by early 2025. These new norms, which are expected to be more stringent than their predecessor BS-VI standards, will likely require vehicle manufacturers to incorporate advanced emission control technologies to meet the stricter pollution limits.
Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), revealed during the ET Infra Leadership Summit 2024 that the draft BS-VII norms will be made available after consultations with academia and key industry stakeholders. He emphasized that the goal is to introduce more stringent measures to curb pollution, particularly focusing on reducing harmful emissions like Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, which continue to degrade air quality in India. The BS-VI standards, which were enforced nationwide in April 2020, already marked a significant step in reducing vehicular emissions. However, as pollution remains a pressing issue, the BS-VII norms aim to further tighten vehicle emission limits, making them more aligned with global standards like the Euro-VII norms. These include requirements for real-time on-board monitoring of pollution data and new measures to control non-exhaust particulate matter, such as those generated from tires.
The implementation of BS-VII will require automakers to equip vehicles with cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions, which could include advanced exhaust treatment systems and improved fuel efficiency features. This is part of a broader effort by the government to not only reduce air pollution but also make vehicles more fuel-efficient, thereby contributing to lower overall fuel consumption across the sector. Mahmood Ahmed stated that while vehicular emissions play a significant role in the country’s air pollution levels, the government is committed to reducing pollution by introducing these advanced emission standards. He also mentioned that MoRTH is closely collaborating with other ministries and expert agencies to ensure that India moves towards more sustainable and cleaner transportation systems. As the draft BS-VII norms are finalized, the country is poised to take a major step towards improving public health and air quality, aligning with global environmental standards and reducing the environmental footprint of India’s growing vehicle fleet.
