Govt to Release Draft Fuel Efficiency Norms for Commercial Vehicles
Published On Jan 17, 2017
As the April 1 deadline for the implementation of BS-IV emission norms approaches, the government is leaving no stone unturned to encourage more fuel efficiency in vehicles. And one of the steps taken is the release of the draft norms on fuel efficiency for heavy-duty vehicles in the near future. This was announced during the inauguration ceremony of Saksham 2017, a month-long awareness drive on fuel conservation at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi by Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The draft norms will be released on April 1, the day the BS-IV regulations will set in. BS-IV fuel will also be made available throughout the country from that day onwards. The minister also shared several tips for conserving fuel; he urged motorists to follow fuel conservation steps and effectively contribute to saving energy. Mr. Pradhan also said that if the 180 million two-wheelers and three-wheelers plying on the road turn off their engines at traffic signals, it would lead to a two percent fuel savings or roughly INR 14,000 crore worth of savings.
Saksham 2017 (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav 2017), organized by the PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association) and other oil and gas PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings), is aimed at creating awareness amongst masses towards proper utilization and conservation of petroleum products. The event encourages collective participation and also highlights the use of energy efficient appliances and a shift towards cleaner fuels. The month-long drive will also witness multiple workshops for commercial vehicle drivers and combine other programs to inculcate behavioural changes for more fuel saving.
