Transition to BS-VI fuel on track but infra, lack of awareness

Transition to BS-VI fuel on track but infra, lack of awareness

1. At a round-table discussion on the preparedness to roll out BS-VI fuel norms, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has highlighted the key challenges in the India-wide transition to BS-VI norms.
2. The Indian government has decided to skip BS-V and directly move to BS-VI from April 2020. The main difference between BS-IV and BS-VI is in the amount of sulphur in the fuel. BS-VI fuel is estimated to bring around an 80% reduction in sulphur content. Recently, Delhi became the first city in the country to switch from BS-IV grade petrol and diesel to BS-VI fuels
3. The challenges highlighted by CSE in rolling out BS-VI norms are: a) defining each agency and body’s role in implementing BS-VI norms, b) Ensuring data disclosure from automobile companies, c) fleet modernisation, d) checking cheat devices which help aid evading emission standards, and e) public awareness about the norms.
4. The CSE also highlighted global best practices. For example, California has strict implementation of emission standards. It also monitors emissions in real time with sensors fitted into vehicles and data being relayed to a central database. When emission levels breach the standards immediate signals are provided.
5. The Bharat Stage (BS) standards are standards instituted by the Indian government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles. The norms were introduced in 2000.