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Context

The Union minister for road transport and highways stated that India is set to implement Bharat Stage (BS) VII emission norms to address air pollution.

What are Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms?

They are standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to regulate air pollutant emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles, based on European emission standards.

Objective: To limit emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and hydrocarbons (HC), addressing the air pollution crisis.

• Transport sector is the second-highest emitter of CO2, contributing almost 23% of global CO2 emissions. The sector accounts for 5% of GVA in India, but its share of CO2 emissions from energy use is 12%. (Source: Business Standard)

Implementation: Enforced through fuel quality improvements, vehicle technology upgrades (e.g., catalytic converters, fuel injectors), and mandatory On-Board Diagnostics (OBD).

Evolution of BS Norms in India

• 1991-1992: Initial emission norms introduced for petrol (1991) and diesel (1992) vehicles, focusing on idle CO and smoke limits.
• 2000: BS-I (equivalent to Euro 1) adopted nationwide
• BS-II (2005) and BS-III (2010).
• BS-IV was enforced in 13 major cities (2010) and nationwide (2017).
• 2016-2020: India skipped BS-V and adopted BS-VI (Euro 6 equivalent), reducing sulphur content to 10 ppm, NOx by nearly 68% (diesel). Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing was introduced in April 2023.
• 2025: BS-VII announced to align with European standards, focusing on stricter emissions, alternative fuels, and EV integration, with no specific timeline yet disclosed.

Significance of BS-VII  

Environmental Impact: Targets transport sector’s contribution to air pollution, critical in urban areas where PM 2.5 levels exceed WHO guidelines.

Economic Benefits: Reduces fossil fuel imports, boosts domestic ethanol production, increases farmer's income, and creates jobs.

Energy Transition: Supports net-zero by 2070 through EV adoption and biofuels, aligning with global clean energy trends.

Global Competitiveness: Positions India as a potential leader in the automotive market, increasing export share.

Challenges  

Industry Readiness: Rapid transition to BS-VII may strain automakers, as seen in BS-VI (cost increases of 10-15%), requiring significant R&D investment.

Ethanol Challenges: E20 raises NOx and aldehyde emissions; feedstock expansion (e.g., maize) risks food security and water use.

Scrappage Limitations: Low vehicles scrappage (16,830/month vs. 376,000 tonnes scrap imports) and limited testing facilities hinder scale-up.

EV Infrastructure Gaps: Fragmented charging network and high e-vehicles costs challenge adoption.

Way Forward

Strengthen BS-VII Implementation: Set a clear timeline and provide subsidies for automakers to adopt cleaner technologies, ensuring feasibility.

Scale Up Scrappage: Expand automated testing stations and scrapping facilities, offering GST concessions on new vehicles.

Enhance EV Ecosystem: Fast-track unified charging platform, prioritizing Tier-2/3 cities.

Sustainable Biofuels: Invest in 2G ethanol (agri-waste) to mitigate food security risks; enforce strict emission testing for E20/flex-fuel vehicles.

Vision 2047 Execution: Form a dedicated task force to address Automotive Industry Plan bottlenecks, focusing on hydrogen mobility and exports.

Rail Freight Shift: Increase rail’s freight share to reduce road emissions, supported by dedicated freight corridors.

Conclusion

India’s push for BS-VII norms, scrappage, EVs, and biofuels aims at cleaner air and energy independence, but success depends on industry readiness, policy enforcement, and stakeholder collaboration.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH