Draft notifications covering the three vehicle categories are likely to be issued in the coming days.
The Centre plans to introduce Bharat Stage VII (BS-VII) emission standards for new cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from April 2029, followed by small goods delivery vehicles and pick-up vans from April 2030, and buses and heavy-duty vehicles from April 2031. The proposed emission standards will align with Europe's Euro 7 emission norms and cover passenger vehicles as well as commercial vehicles in phases. It is aimed to check vehicular pollution, particularly in cities grappling with poor air quality.
Under the proposed schedule, BS-VII norms will apply to new cars and SUVs manufactured from April 2029, according to PTI. Small goods delivery vehicles and pick-up vans will come under the new standards a year later, while buses and heavy-duty vehicles will follow from April 2031. The timeline for two-wheelers, which account for a significant share of vehicles on Indian roads, will be announced separately, according to the news report.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved the proposed implementation schedule, the report said. Draft notifications covering the three vehicle categories are expected to be issued in the coming days.
The phased introduction is intended to give vehicle manufacturers and testing agencies time to prepare for the new requirements. The implementation period is expected to extend from April 2029 to April 2035.
An official was quoted as saying by PTI that the new standards would fully align with Euro 7 norms, with draft notifications expected this week.
Also read: Non-BS-VI Vehicles To Face Entry Restrictions In Delhi From November 1
BS-VII Emission Standards
Bharat Stage (BS) standards regulate the permissible levels of pollutants emitted by motor vehicles in India. These include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) and particulate matter (PM). The standards are aligned with European emission regulations and are intended to progressively reduce vehicle emissions by tightening pollution limits.
Notably, BS-VI vehicles emit lower levels of regulated pollutants and require low-sulphur BS-VI fuel.
