Which of the following Vehicular emission standards is followed in India?

1. BS-III
2. BS-IV
3. BS-V
4. BS-VI

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 4 only
d) 4 only

Ans- a

Explanation- Bharat stage or BS emission standards are standards made by the GoI to regulate air pollutants outputs from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles. Thestandards are set by the CPCB under the MoEF.

These standards were first introduced in 1991 for petrol vehicles and in 1992 for diesel vehicles. But taking Euro norms as a reference first time, India 2000 was introduced in year 2000 nationwide. After this Mashelkar committee recommendations came which were accepted. It proposed a roadmap for implementation of Europe based emission normsfor India. It also recommended phase wise implementation of norms first in major cities and then expansion to all over nation. Following this, National Auto Fuel Policy was announced in 2003 which laid out plan till 2010. Since October 2010, BS III norms have been enforced across the country. In 13 major cities, Bharat Stage IV emission norms have been in place since April 2010. In 2016, the Indian government announced that the country would skip the BS V norms altogether and adopt BS VI norms which are equivalent to Euro 6 emission norms of Europe. See here and here. It will be implemented till 2020.

4 Major pollutants are covered in BS norms:

CO emissions  Norms – Carbon Monoxide emissions are more evident in Petrol engines. Long Term exposure can prevent oxygen transfer and increase headaches/nausea.

HC emissions Norms – Hydro-carbons which are again more prevalent in Petrol engines. Short term exposure can cause headaches, vomiting and disorientation.

NOx emissions Norms– Nitrogen Oxide emissions which are more prevalent in Diesel engines. Long Term exposure can cause Nose and eye irritation and damage lung tissue.

PM Norms– Particulate matter, again more prevalent in a Diesel engine.

Long Term exposure can harm the respiratory tract and reduce lung function.

These standards dohelp in bringing down pollution levels but it increases vehicle cost due to the improved technology & higher fuel prices. However, this increase is offset by savings in health costs for the public due to reduced pollution levels.

Oil Industry and Automobile industry will have to upgrade fuel and technology to shift from BS IV to BS VI for which they will require 50k to 80k crores investment. This is the major challenge.