At the beginning of this month, India moved towards more environment-friendly vehicles, outstripping Europe in terms of the number of years taken to move up to Euro-IV norms. India took only 14 years to achieve what Europe (currently at Euro-V) did in 22 years. India?s achievement has not been a cakewalk. It has involved huge investments (worth Rs 97,000 crore) undertaken by the auto and oil companies in refinery and logistics management.

Automakers have graduated towards stricter fuel emission standards, forcing vehicles to use fuels with lower levels of sulphur and benzene?the main culprits behind fuel pollution. The new fuel, Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV), is expected to cut emissions by half and limit its sulphur content to 50 ppm in diesel and petrol, from 350 ppm and 150 ppm, respectively, in Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) fuel. BS-IV?the local version of Euro-IV?diesel and petrol is now being sold in 13 cities. As per the auto fuel policy, the government was expected to bring in BS-III fuel to the rest of the country by April 1, 2010. But inadequate supply by the refining companies has proven to be the key hurdle. The companies quoted high costs of modernising decades-old refineries as the main reason for their inability to meet BS-III fuel demand. So, they asked the petroleum ministry to reschedule the introduction of the fuel from April 1 to October 1.

The ministry, as recently reported by FE, said that retailers have already started supplying BS-III fuel in Goa and it will also be made available in three other states by the end of this month. The ministry affirmed that it is all set to cover more than half the country by June 30. The transport ministry, the implementing body for fuel standards, was also asked to adhere to the petroleum ministry?s schedule for BS III/IV. This is a move in the right direction because it will help the industry save itself from the creation of an inventory glut of unsold BS-II vehicles that would have added to the country?s already severe pollution problem. The government should make certain that all standards are implemented with utmost urgency to meet our emission reduction objectives. Simultaneously, it should work towards the post-2010 roadmap and set the timeline for BS V/VI emissions standards. These will assist the oil companies to plan in advance, ensuring that they don?t repeat their mistakes.

jaya.jumrani@expressindia.com