Government Set For Stringent Pollution Checks For Vehicles

From April 2017 the Indian government will make it mandatory for all automakers in the country to provide details of emission and noise pollution of each vehicle that they roll out of their factory floors. Based on the pollution figures, both noise and air, the government will define a scaling scheme wherein a car can receive up to five star ratings.

In a recent notification sent to all the auto manufacturers in the country, the road transport ministry has amended Form 22 under the Central Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), which is used to provide the initial certification of compliance with safety standards, road-worthiness and pollution standards for all vehicles. Prior to the amendment, Form 22 only certified the vehicles that passed the basic emission norms defined under the MVA.

However, with the start of the next fiscal year, all the manufacturers will have to provide detailed emission and noise pollution figures in the revised Form 22. The form will ask for basic details such as the brand name, chassis number, engine number (motor number in case of battery-powered vehicles) and noise pollution levels based on loudness of the horn and pass-by noise. The form will also require bifurcated figures for emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon (HC), non-methane HC, NOx, HC + NOx, particulate matter, etc. This will be applicable for petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

The revised Form 22 will also capture relevant details from battery-powered vehicles such as e-rickshaws, electric bikes and fully electric cars. While electric cars and bikes are manufactured by some of the largest automotive brands in the country, an authorised signatory of an e-rickshaw or e-cart association will have to sign for either to become road-legal.