The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification regarding the emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI.

Practice question for Mains:

Q. What are Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES)? Discuss how the early implementation of BS-VI norms will help curb vehicular pollution in India.

What is Quadricycle Vehicle verification?

• The quadricycle is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, which allows these vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars.
• Quadricycles are defined by limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.
• There are two categories of quadricycles: light quadricycles (L6e) and heavy quadricycles (L7e)

What are the new notified norms?

• These norms are applicable from the date of notification.
• This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all L, M and N category vehicles in India.
• The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle.
• The procedure for testing is laid down in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 137-Part 9.

What is the WMTC cycle?

• The World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) is a system of driving cycles used to measure fuel consumption and emissions in motorcycles.
• The methods are stipulated as part of the Global Technical Regulation established under the UN World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, also known as WP.29.

Back2Basics:  Bharat Stage Norms

Minutes of BS-VI

• Carmakers would have to put three pieces of equipment — a DPF (diesel particulate filter), an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system, and an LNT (Lean NOx trap) — to meet stringent BS-VI norms, all at the same time.
• This is vital to curb both PM (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions as mandated under the BS-VI norms.

How is BS-VI Different from BS-IV?

• The major difference between the existing BS-IV and forthcoming BS-VI norms is the presence of sulphur in the fuel.
• While the BS-IV fuels contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, the BS-VI grade fuel only has 10 ppm sulphur content.
• Also, the harmful NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars can be brought down by nearly 70%.
• In the petrol cars, they can be reduced by 25%.
• However, when we talk about air pollution, particulate matter like PM 2.5 and PM 10 are the most harmful components and the BS-VI will bring the cancer-causing particulate matter in diesel cars by a phenomenal 80%.

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