BS-IV, which is parallel to Europes Euro 4 standard, was rolled out for phased implementation in 2010. Lagging behind the Wests current Euro 6 and equivalent standards, India decided to skip the BS-V stage and began making BS-VI norms mandatory in select regions in October 2015 as it strides toward nationwide adoption in 2020.

Indias Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced this month that also effective April 1, manufacturers of all vehicles – including electronic rickshaws and e-carts – will have to provide information about each units air pollution levels and the stage of emissions norms it meets.

There was a lot of hue and cry around the phase-out, but there has been enough time given to the dealers to phase out their stock, EPCAs Sunita Narain told the newspaper. The world has already moved towards BS-VI norms, and we are still reluctant in moving to BS-IV.

Lube additive producer Infineum International noted in a report earlier this month that Indias push to reduce vehicle emissions will present opportunities to supply better lubricants to the market. A large proportion of todays engines [in India] are only at the BS-III level. The BS-III standard requires little to no aftertreatment, which means local OEMs producing passenger cars and commercial vehicles must rethink their aftertreatment technology strategies to ensure they comply.

Infineum said stricter emissions controls will require the right balance of additive components, in higher-quality products with lower counts of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur. Future lubricant formulations for the Indian market must be carefully designed to meet these requirements without compromising wear protection or impeding the performance of increasingly complex aftertreatement systems.