India's dependence on imported fossil fuels rising continuously due to the limited domestic petroleum resources. India ranked as the fourth-largest petroleum consumer in the world following China, the United States, and Russia. The country's energy demand continues to climb as a result of its dynamic economic growth and modernization. India’s consumption of petroleum products increased by 5.3% to previous year which is more than 200 MMT causing a significant expenditure on oil import. Keeping in view the growing demand of fossil fuel and rapidly growing motor vehicle fleet in India, Govt. of India set a target to reduce 10% reduction on import by 2022. BEE is working on the Development of fuel efficiency norms for Vehicles that could moderate the rising demand of fuel.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Norms for Passenger Cars:
Ministry of Power, in consultation with BEE notified average fuel consumption standards for Passenger cars in 2015, applicable for the motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and their luggage and comprising not more than nine seats including driver’s seat, and of Gross Vehicle Weight not exceeding 3,500 kilograms manufactured or imported for sale in the country.
The first phase of the fuel consumption standards was effective from 2017-22 to 2021-22, and a second set of standards are implemented from April 2022. The standard relates to the Corporate Average Fuel Consumption (in litres/100 kms) to the Corporate Average Curb Weight of all the cars sold by a manufacturer in a fiscal year. According to the norms, the average weight of all the manufacturers is considered to be 1037 kgs in first phase, and the Average Fuel Consumption should be less than 5.49 litres/100 kms. The second set of standards the car average weight is considered to be 1082 kgs in 2022. It may be noted that the standards apply to the Corporate Average Fuel Consumption i.e. the average of the standards fuel consumption of all vehicles sold by the manufacturers in the fiscal year, and not to the fuel consumption of an individual model. The fuel consumption notifies that this is measured under the standard conditions at the nationally accredited labs where the fuel consumption is measured over the nationally driven cycle. It is expected that these standards would lead to a reduction of 22.97 million tons of fuel consumption by 2025.
Link for Gazette Notification SO 1072 Passenger Cars
Link for Gazette Notification for SO 5020 (E) Amendamnet of CAFE
FUEL CONSUMPTION COMPLIANCE REPORT-(PHASE -I)
Fuel Economy Norms for Heavy Duty Vehicles:
In August 2017 the Government of India finalized fuel efficiency norms for commercial vehicles (CVs) with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 12 tonnes or greater. Manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the rule by evaluating vehicles over the constant speed fuel consumption (CSFC) test procedure. In the CSFC protocol, trucks are driven at constant speed on a test track at 40 and 60 kilometres per hour (kph), and buses are run at 50 kph. Later, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revised the safe axle weight limits, subsequently the norms for HDVs amended vide S.O. 3215 (E) dated 21st September 2020.
The norms were applicable to the vehicle confirming BS-IV emission norms and implementation date for the norms was 1st April 2020. However due to implementation of BS-VI emission norms by MoRTH a correction factor would be needed to multiply with FE norms, to make it suitable for BS-VI complied vehicles. The correction factor for the norms have been notified through an amendment published vide S.O. 1465(E) dated 29th March 2022. These norms are implemented from 1st April 2022.
Fuel Economy Norms for Light & Commercial Vehicles:
In addition to norms for CVs greater than 12 tonnes, the development of fuel efficiency standards for CVs between 3.5 and 12 tonnes is ongoing. The norms for this lighter segment of CVs will also be centred around CSFC testing. The norms were notified vide S.O. 2540 (E) dated 16th July 2019 and applicable to the BS-IV complied vehicles only.
In 2020 BS-VI emission norms implemented by MoRTH, and a correction factor was to be derived for BS-VI complied vehicles, to be applied on the BS-IV complied vehicles’ FE norms equation, similar to HDFE norms case.
The correction factor for the norms have been notified through an amendment published vide S.O. 1464(E) dated 29th March 2022. These norms are implemented from 1st April 2022.
Link for Gazette Notification for Ligh & Commercial Vehicle(Size: 231 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
S&L Programme for Tyres:
There is huge scope of fuel saving by on-road vehicles also. Tyres as an important component of vehicle has been identified for potential saving of the fuels. Approximately, 2/3rd market of tyres is replacement by customers. Keeping this in mind, Standard and Labelling programme for vehicular tyres initiated also.
Voluntary phase of the programme has been launched in December 2022 and was initially implemented for one year which was extended by one more year and thus will remain effective till December 2023.
Details of the programme is available on S&L portal of BEE www.beestarlabel.com.
Development of Computer Based Simulation tool provisionally named as Bharat Energy Efficiency Tool (BEET) for assessment of the Fuel efficiency of the vehicles:
The vehicle fuel efficiency is being tested prior to the launch of a model. Presently the test procedure which are in place, are costly and consumes much time & energy. So, it is required to develop a tool which can assess the fuel efficiency of a vehicle without performing any physical test. BEE has initiated the development of a computer-based simulation tool (like VECTO in EU) as per Indian specific conditions. The tool will be helpful to reduce the cost and time for testing of vehicles.
A technical committee was constituted to develop such type of tool.
The committee recommended to adopt the VECTO which is being used in EU countries, however the same needs to be modified to suit Indian specific conditions. ARAI was given task to develop the tool, however some financial support was required to be given to ARAI for the same. The agenda for financial assistance to ARAI to develop the tool was put up and approved in principle, in 19th MAC.
The issue of providing financial support to ARAI is under consideration of MoP. Once it is approved, development of the BEET will be initiated.