BS-VI grade fuel to be introduced by April 2018

Bharat Stage – VI grade fuel will be available in the National Capital Territory from 2018.

Driven by the alarming levels of pollution in the northern region of India, particularly in the NCT of Delhi, the Government of India has fast-tracked the introduction of Bharat Stage – VI emission grade fuel in the region by 2018.

The Indian government implemented BS-IV norms nationwide earlier this in April. The introduction of BS-VI was earlier scheduled for April 1, 2020. The government in consultation with stakeholders has decided to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI grade by April 1, 2020, skipping BS-V norms altogether.

Currently, Oil refining companies are investing in fuel up gradation projects to meet the new BS-VI regulations, which will begin to be enforced from next year. The norm will allow for a sulphur content of 10 parts per million down from 50 from the gasoline and diesel fuels that are currently in supply in the Indian market

The Indian Government has stated “With the launch of BS-IV grade fuel, a new era of clean transportation fuels has begun which will benefit all citizens of our country by substantially reducing pollution levels. Migration to BS-IV grade fuels shows India’s resolve to cut down emissions.”

The statement also mentioned - “this measure is expected to help mitigate the problem of air pollution in NCT of Delhi and surrounding areas.”

While leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI may be a step towards a cleaner environment, it may only result in marginal change as many other factors which are co-contributors to the levels of pollution in the region also need to be addressed. The Indian government needs to address the pollution caused by construction, burning of crops and additionally finding a concrete solution to decommission and scrap older vehicles which are plying and not meeting current emission regulations. Unless the issue is addressed as a whole, the alarming levels of pollution will continue to remain.