India shifts towards clean Diesel and Petrol from April 1

From April 1, 2020, India will shift to Euro-VI emission compliant from Euro-IV grades that is being followed now. This means that India will shift towards more clean form of fuel.

Highlights

As India shifts to Euro VI grades, it will join select league of nations using pure and clean fuel. These fuels contain just 10 parts per million of Sulphur. The Sulphur emissions are the main reasons that choke pollution in major cities.

With Indian Oil Corporations and all other leading refineries already adopting BS-VI petrol and diesel, India is already on track in implementing clean fuel in the country.

History

India adopted Euro II or equivalent BS III fuel that contains 350 parts per million of Sulphur in 2010. Later, it took seven years for India to adopt to BS IV that contains 50 ppm of Sulphur. However, it took only three years to shift to BS VI standard.

Delhi and adjoining cities have already adopted BS VI in April 2019.

Benzene limits was reduced from 5% in 2000 to 1% in 2019. Similarly, the lead content was reduced in phases since 2000.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2020