India to introduce BS-VI engine standards

The Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards were introduced by the government of India to regulate the emission of air pollutants from motor vehicles. BS-VI norms are two stages ahead of the BS-IV norms in regulating emissions similar to the criteria in Europe called Euro 4 and Euro 6. Compliance with BS-VI norms would require superior technology and investment to upgrade existing vehicles and also manufacture new vehicles.

Responding to questions regarding the formulation of policies to increase the use of biomass, specifically surplus agricultural residue for harnessing biofuels, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, said in Lok Sabha.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also issued guidelines for the sale of biodiesel for blending with high-speed diesel for transportation purposes. Pradhan added that the government has decided to leapfrog directly to BS-VI quality with effect from April 1, 2020, across the entire country.

Considering the rise in environmental pollution in the national capital region (NCR), the government has started the supply of BS-VI auto fuel in the national capital territory of Delhi from April 1, 2018. In line with the directions issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the supply of BS-VI auto fuel has started in 10 districts of NCR and three other cities outside of NCR (Karauli, Dhaulpur, and the city of Agra) with effect from April 1, 2019.

Last year, the first biofuel-based flight in India completed its journey from Dehradun to Delhi. India-based flight operator SpiceJet operated the test flight powered by biojet fuel, marking a new chapter in the fast-growing domestic aviation sector.

Then, at the 2019 Republic Day celebrations, the Indian Air Force led the way towards a greener future by utilizing biofuel for its aircraft during the fly-past ceremony.