India Bharat Stage VI Emission Standards

On February 19, 2016, the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a draft notification of Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission standards for all major on-road vehicle categories in India. The standards apply to light- and heavy duty vehicles, as well as two- and three-wheeled vehicles. 

The proposed BS VI regulation is the first global instance of leapfrogging from Euro 4/IV level directly to Euro 6/VI level motor vehicle emission standards. This precedent-setting step marks a new path forward for all developing country markets to follow to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicle technologies and fuels. The notification comes at a time when many Indian cities are struggling with severe air-quality problems and is an important step in addressing these issues.