10 years ago, roughly half of all new cars sold in India had a diesel engine.
By now, you would have heard many people say that after BS7, several diesel cars might be discontinued, or even that car prices might increase further.
With the BS7, diesel cars will need to produce emissions at the same level as petrol models.
Industry rumours already claim that the 2.4-litre diesel engine-equipped Innova Crysta will be discontinued by 2027, due to BS7 norms.
While Tata has control over Fiat’s 2.0-litre diesel engine, it might eventually mould it to meet the BS7 norms.
10 years ago, roughly half of all new cars sold in India had a diesel engine. Today, the number has shrunk rapidly – and eventually is expected to fall further. The reason? BS7 (Bharat Stage 7) norms. Amid all this petrol-ethanol chaos, we have forgotten something that will hit the Indian market very soon: the new emission norm, BS7.
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So, will diesel cars get another hit from the Indian government? Here’s everything that you need to know about the new emission norms.
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BS7 Norms: When Is It Coming?
You would have heard that Toyota will end production of the Innova Crysta by 2027. Reason: it’s a diesel engine. But is this the start of new emission norms that will be implemented? Well, there isn’t an official gazette, so the exact timeline for its implementation isn’t known.
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But in 2023, the Minister of MoRTH, Nitin Gadkari, urged auto manufacturers to start preparing for BS7, suggesting that BS7 is surely coming to India. This may happen next year or might take another year; that’s uncertain for now.
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What Will Happen To Diesel Cars?
By now, you would have heard many people say that after BS7, several diesel cars might be discontinued, or even that car prices might increase further. But how true is that? Diesel will surely be hit once the BS7 norms come. Reason being stricter emission norms. With the BS7, diesel cars will need to produce emissions at the same level as petrol models. That sounds simple on paper, but it is way more difficult.
Cutting down on emissions means making significant changes to the car’s hardware – bigger filters, more complex exhaust systems, and more of that blue liquid (AdBlue). All of this adds to the cost. But will it cut down diesel cars? Well, small-capacity diesel engines might not get that hit, but those with larger-capacity mills might eventually be affected.
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Which Cars Could Be At Risk?
Toyota might reconsider its 2.8-litre diesel engine that is equipped in the Fortuner. Industry rumours already claim that the 2.4-litre diesel engine-equipped Innova Crysta will be discontinued by 2027, due to BS7 norms.
Fiat’s 2.0-litre diesel engine will also be among those that might face challenges. The engine is used in several SUVs like the Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, Jeep Meridian, and Jeep Compass. It was also used in the Hector, but a petrol engine has now replaced it.
While Tata has control over Fiat’s 2.0-litre diesel engine, it might eventually mould it to meet the BS7 norms. In addition, Tata has already started offering the new 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine on the Safari and Harrier.
Mahindra might also need to tune the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine to meet the updated regulations.
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What Are Manufacturers Planning?
At present, there isn’t any rigid information about what can be changed and what will be given leeway under the BS7 norms. However, carmakers have already begun investing in green energy – not only in EVs but also in hybrids. India currently has several mild- and strong-hybrid cars on sale. In the near future, we will also see several plug-in hybrid cars introduced in India. Plug-in hybrids are expected to deliver better efficiency, so they can be seen as a replacement for diesel.
With the introduction of new technologies, it seems that automakers are slightly moving away from diesel engines. But that’s just an assumption.
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End Result
The Bharat Stage (BS) norms mirror the Euro norms, and the BS7 will be the same as the Euro 7. After the announcement of the Euro 7 norms, several major automakers began to protest against them due to their strict regulations. Now, as there has been no clarification on what can be changed under the BS7 norms, it is too early to expect any major changes.
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