Rollout of BS-VII in 3 phases from April 2029 to April 2035

The Indian government plans to introduce BS-VII emission standards, modeled after Euro 7 regulations, in a phased approach between April 2029 and April 2035. These stricter limits aim to curb harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter, which have been exacerbating pollution in Indian cities. The rollout will commence with new cars and SUVs starting April 2029, followed by small delivery and pickup vans in 2030 and buses and heavy-duty vehicles in April 2031.

The transition to BS-VII will not necessitate modifications to existing refinery infrastructure, but it will require the automotive sector to upgrade vehicle engines. The road transport ministry has greenlit the proposed timeline, and draft notifications for the three vehicle categories are anticipated in the coming days. Existing vehicles, including those meeting BS-VI standards, will remain unaffected.

The new standards will enhance emissions monitoring to ensure real-world compliance throughout a vehicle's lifespan, not just in controlled laboratory conditions. The cut-off limits for various emission components for cars and SUVs will remain the same as BS-VI, but particulate number will be lowered from 23 nanometres to 10 nanometres, thereby tightening filtration of pollutants.

This stricter regulation captures ultrafine particles, which have historically been unregulated, and pose a more significant health risk as they penetrate deeper into the lungs.

While the BS-VII transition will have the most substantial impact on trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, aiming for a 20-50% reduction in emissions across pollutants, the impact will be felt across the automotive spectrum. The norms extend beyond tailpipe emissions to encompass non-exhaust sources like brake wear and tyre abrasion. Moreover, a market surveillance system will be instituted, with independent testing agencies conducting in-use compliance checks.

These norms align fully with Euro 7 standards and will be implemented in a phased manner, with the full rollout expected by 2035.