The domestic car industry has threatened that implementation of new emission norms from April 1, 2010 may come a cropper if the required grade of fuel is not made available by that time. They caution that poor quality of fuel would lead to damage to the vehicles that are being upgraded, resulting in disruption of production next year.
Oil refiners acknowledge a gap in being ready for the industry to meet the new Euro IV norms but are confident they will make the deadline.
“It is a matter of concern that there is some ambiguity on whether the right quality of fuel will be available by April 1,” said Dr Pawan Goenka, president, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.
Come April 1 2010, vehicular emission norms in 13 cities that include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad must conform to Euro IV norms, upgraded from Euro III. Other areas will stick to Euro III norms. The key
issue is that oil refiners must invest a lot because the new norms require an 85 per cent cut in pollutant particles.
A Hyundai spokesman said in all markets his company was ready to meet required norms. "But to meet the norms we also need fuel that help our engines perform at their optimum level. In the absence of quality fuel for example low sulphur for diesel fuel, it is difficult to envisage how norms will be met," he said.
{{/usCountry}}A Hyundai spokesman said in all markets his company was ready to meet required norms. "But to meet the norms we also need fuel that help our engines perform at their optimum level. In the absence of quality fuel for example low sulphur for diesel fuel, it is difficult to envisage how norms will be met," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Oil marketers such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum on the other hand expressed confidence that they will be ready by April in most of the country.
“Our refineries are ready for Euro III and Euro IV petrol but Euro IV diesel will take some more time of around a year," said Arun Balakrishnan, chairman, HPCL. “Even then we will source whatever is required from Essar and Reliance.”
IOC that accounts for a majority 52 per cent share of the auto fuel market, said it is ready for the new emissions, though logistical issues in the North East may result in some delay there.