New efficiency norms to hit fuel guzzlers….Chetan Chauhan
After Environment minister Jairam Ramesh branding S U Vsascriminal on road, India is set to stipulate strict fuel efficiency norms for vehicles, especially high fuel guzzling Sports Utility Vehicles(SUV),a move being opposed by the automobile manufacturers.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE), which has been mandated by the PMs Office to stipulate the norms under Energy Conservation Act, wants automobile manufacturers to opt either for fuel efficiency norms for each brand or vehicles in a particular weight category.
The first option would mean separate star rating for Maruti Alto and another for Maruti Wagon R.The second option, already implemented in Japan and China, provides a rating for a category base don weight plus engine capacity, meaning that both A lto and WagonR will have same star rating.
In a stipulated time span all vehicles would have to follow star rating or else they will not be allowed to sell,said a BEE official, who is engaged in negotiating fuel efficiency norms for vehicles with three other Central government ministries.
The norms we want will have some impact on high fuel guzzling SUVs.Ramesh had recently said those driving SUVs are criminal on road, which earned him a tag of buffoon from Wall Street Journal.
The auto companies are opposing BEE options saying it could result in increase in vehicle costs because of technology up-gradation and Road Transport ministry if fighting fortheir cause.
The ministry has proposed are gime called Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) where fuel economy of entire fleet of a company is measured, which allows a company to sell a polluting vehicle, if it has a highly fuel efficient vehicle in its basket. In simpler terms, highly fuel efficient Alto can compensate for fuel guzzling SUV Grand Vitara and it allows the company to sell both until its emissions remain for a year remain within the threshold limit stipulated forthe company.If emissions cross the limit, the company can be penalised.
A part from being flexible, the CAFÉ also provides companies moretime period to meet the stricter fuel economy norms In CAFÉ, acompany can sell a vehicle which otherwise would not have got a star rating, an official said.
BEEis keen that the new fuel efficiency norms for vehicles sale in India should be based on weight plus engine capacity as it balances benefits for consumers and automobile manufacturers. It has pros and corns of both CAFÉ and individual vehicle rating and also helps consumerin selecting a vehicle on basis of fuel mileage,an official said.
Ajay Mathur,Director General, BEE said the discussions on the new fuel efficiency norms for India were at the final stages.