News Desk: The Centre has proposed introducing Bharat Stage VII (BS-VII) emission standards for passenger cars from April 1, 2029, in a major step towards reducing vehicle pollution in India. The proposed rules aim to tighten emission limits while expanding pollution controls beyond exhaust gases to include brake and tyre particles, battery durability and real-world vehicle performance.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, in the Gazette on Wednesday. The draft proposes a phased rollout in 2029, 2032 and 2035, with progressively stricter standards. The government has invited public objections and suggestions within 30 days of publication.
Under the proposed framework, vehicles would face laboratory and real-world driving tests to assess emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The rules also propose continuous monitoring of exhaust emissions through on-board sensors, with data displayed on the driver’s instrument cluster. Systems would flag nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions exceeding prescribed limits.
The proposal also introduces limits on pollution caused by brake wear. From April 1, 2031, brake-particle emissions would be limited to three milligrams per kilometre for battery-electric vehicles and seven milligrams per kilometre for plug-in hybrids, other hybrids, fuel-cell vehicles and internal-combustion engine vehicles. A stricter three-milligram limit for category M1 vehicles is proposed from April 1, 2035. Separate particle-number limits will be notified later.
Battery durability is another key feature. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids would be required to retain at least 75% of their original battery capacity after five years or 100,000 kilometres, and at least 67% after eight years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
The draft also proposes greater transparency regarding vehicle efficiency and environmental performance. Vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2030, would have to provide fuel and electric-energy consumption data through a dedicated port. From April 1, 2032, additional information would be accessible through the on-board diagnostics port and anonymously through wireless data transmission.
An environmental vehicle passport would provide information about fuel consumption, battery health and pollutant emissions. The proposed rules would also address tyre abrasion, anti-tampering measures and safety requirements for vehicles using compressed natural gas, hydrogen and fuels containing more than 20% ethanol.
Former Delhi deputy transport commissioner Anil Chhikara said the proposal would establish a common nitrogen oxide threshold for petrol and diesel vehicles. However, he cautioned that advanced sensors and complex calibration could increase vehicle costs and make roadside repairs more difficult, requiring specialised facilities.
If implemented as proposed, BS-VII standards would significantly expand India's approach to vehicle pollution control, although the final requirements will depend on the outcome of the consultation process.
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