Auto companies push for easing of fuel efficiency norms
fuel efficiency norms under the CAFE III (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency) standards as they resumed talks with the government after a hiatus of a few months, said people aware of the matter.
The new norms are slated to come into effect on April 1, 2027.
In the latest round of consultative meeting held earlier this month between the auto industry and government, representatives from automakers cited the current low penetration of electric vehicles (EVs)-critical for curbing overall vehicular emissions-in the Indian market for easing the norms.
CAFE norms are levied on a carmaker's entire fleet, and not individual models. They are based on time limits set on a carmaker's total carbon dioxide emissions and are aimed at pushing companies to make more fuel-efficient cars by using clean technologies. The amount of CO2 a car emits is directly proportional to the amount of fuel it consumes.
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The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has given automakers an emission target of 91.7g/km under the more stringent WLTP cycle (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure). However, automakers have proposed emission of 92.9 g/km under the India-specific, MIDC (Moderated Indian Driving Cycle). These standards are mandated for testing vehicle emission and fuel efficiency.
The current fuel emission standards under CAFE II norms, which will run through March 2027, allow automakers to emit 113.1 grams per km.
«This is too steep a cut. This can only be achieved with large penetration of EVs which doesn't seem plausible