SIAM welcomes government decision on BS V norms

The apex body of Indian automakers, Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), has welcomed government's decision to move over to BS V emission norms by 2019.

Vinod Dasari, president, SIAM, said, "Upgradation to BS V norms would reduce the pollution levels from the 4-wheeler industry by 80 per cent in terms of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 for HCV and 90 per cent for passenger cars and NOx will be reduced by 60 per cent and 64 per cent, respectively. It would make huge contributions to the ambient air quality of Indian cities. We are happy that SIAM's recommendation to advance the BS V timeline to 2019 has been accepted by the Government."

The auto industry is one of largest contributors to environmental degradation in urban areas.

The high pollution in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai along with slack enforcement of tail pipe emission in older vehicles had been labeled as the biggest cause of environmental pollution.

According to Dasari, BS V norms would reduce the pollution levels from the 4-wheeler industry by 80 per cent in terms of PM 2.5 for HCV and 90 per cent for passenger cars, while NOx would be reduced by 60 per cent and 64 per cent respectively, and in the process, making huge contributions to the ambient air quality of Indian cities.

He said SIAM was happy its recommendation to advance the BS V timeline to 2019 had been accepted by the government.

However, for the country, in order to switch over to BS V norms, the requisite 10 PPM sulphur BS V fuel would need to be introduced by the oil companies by 2019 across India before the new technology vehicles were introduced, according to SIAM's statement. In case the requisite fuel was not available, use of BS IV fuel might damage the engine as also the after-treatment devices fitted in the new vehicle.

This might also vitiate the new technology benefits and the expected improvements in air quality. If the vehicle and fuel were not compatible, the higher emission norms cannot be met, Dasari said.