Govt Firm On BS VI By 2020; Extremely Challenging Says Auto Industry

During the meeting, the first of a series of consultations to be held, the automobile manufacturers sought assurance from the government on fuel availability across India when the country moves to the stricter emission norms by 2020.

According to official sources, the manufacturers expressed concern that BS VI compliant engine could not run on any other specification fuel, unlike BS-IV compliant vehicles that can run on fuel meant for BS-III compliant engine.

It is challenging as per the auto industry. Yes, stricter emission norms in India is a question mark.

"They urged the minister to take oil companies on board to make available BS VI compliant fuel by the deadline," the official source said.

Hyundai Motor India Senior Vice-President (Marketing and Sales) Rakesh Srivastava said the industry sought the minister's assurance that BS VI fuel would be available across the country by 2020 stating "parallel technology can't run" as is being done in different parts of India now.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice-Chairman Vikram Kirloskar said: "We will follow whatever deadline the government has set. It is going to be difficult but we will do it."