Mercedes-Benz first to launch locally-made BS-VI-compliant car

German auto major Mercedes-Benz has unveiled India’s first BS-VI-compliant S Class car produced at its Pune facility. The BS-VI-compliant S Class car was unveiled more than two years ahead of Government’s deadline of April 2020 for switching to new BS-VI emission norms.

Key Facts

BS-VI-compliant S Class can run on BS-IV fuel, which will bring down NOx emissions by 68% and PM by 82%. This will lower the CO2 burden by 13% and fuel demand by 10%. This will pave way for other car manufacturers to introduce their vehicles which are compliant with new emission regulation

Bharat Stage Norms

Bharat stage (BS) emission standards are emission standards instituted by Central Government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles. The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under Ministry of Environment & Forests and climate change. These standards are based on European regulations were first introduced in 2000.

BS-VI

The Union Government in October 2016 had decided to skip one stage and migrate to BS-VI directly from BS-IV from April 2020 to fight the growing pollution. At present, all new vehicles being registered are BS- IV-emission compliant. By switching to BS-VI, India will join league of US, Japan and European Union, which follow Euro Stage VI emission norms.

Implications of BS-VI standard on environment

BS-IV fuels contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, while BS-V and BS-VI grade fuel will have 10 ppm sulphur. It will also bring down NOx emissions from diesel cars by 68% and 25% from petrol engine cars. Cancer causing particulate matter emissions from diesel engine cars will also come down by a phenomenal 80%.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2018