BS7 Emission Norms Draft Expected in Two Months, Says MoRTH

MoRTH Secretary V Umashankar confirmed at SIAM's 66th Annual Convention in New Delhi that the government is in the final stages of internal consultations on BS7, with a public draft expected within a couple of months.

He said the next level of BS standards is ready and final consultations are underway, adding that the draft should be out in a couple of months.

BS7 Will Focus More on Real-World Emissions

The biggest shift with BS7 is in how emissions are measured. Current BS6 Phase 2 norms came into effect in April 2023, and BS7 will build on them by putting greater weight on real-world driving emissions rather than test-cycle results alone.

It is also expected to introduce real-time onboard emission monitoring systems and bring tighter controls on pollutants such as ammonia, while extending stricter scrutiny to CNG vehicles.

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Lab conditions and actual Indian roads can differ quite a bit, and BS7 is aimed at closing that gap. The norms are expected to be broadly aligned with Euro 7 but adapted for Indian conditions, with implementation targeted around 2027.

BS7 Could Still Push Up Costs and End Some Models

The leap from BS4 to BS6 in 2020 was steep. Several models were discontinued and manufacturers had to push major engineering changes through a compressed window. BS7, by contrast, is a more gradual step up from where BS6 Phase 2 already sits.

Umashankar was candid, though, that timelines will remain a key challenge for the industry. He also flagged the growing complexity for automakers navigating multiple powertrains (EVs, alternative fuels and cleaner ICE) alongside stricter emission rules.

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Some models that are not cost-effective to upgrade could still be phased out, and a modest price increase on surviving variants is likely.

Scrappage, EPR and Truck Speeds Also Come Under Focus

Umashankar also raised concerns about the vehicle scrapping and Extended Producer Responsibility framework, noting that unless a workable scrappage ecosystem develops, EPR implementation will face real difficulties.

He separately flagged that truck speeds on Indian expressways are still averaging around 40 kmph despite better road infrastructure, and hinted at reworking logistics incentives to address this.

Also Read – Govt Proposes 5-Year Extension in Age Limit for EV, Hydrogen and CNG Vehicles

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