Question : REPORT OF CSE ON INDIAN AUTOMOBILES

(a) whether as per report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Indian automobiles are below world standards in term of efficiency, emissions and design, etc;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (

(c) whether most of the manufactures have criticised the methodology adopted by CSE for the purpose of rating the Indian Auto Industry;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(e) whether most of Indian vehicles pollute more and are fuel guzzlers as compared to green wheels rolling in other parts of the world;

(f) if so, the facts, thereof; and
(g) the steps taken by the Government to bring Indian automobiles at par with the world in all the areas?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a) , (b), (c ) & (d): The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, has recently released the rating of Indian automobiles. According to them, the Indian automobiles, mainly the passenger cars, utility vehicles and mass transport vehicles are below the western standards (Europe and the United States of America) in terms of technology and emissions. The Government has not received any reaction from the manufacturers on the methodology adopted by the Centre for Science and Environment. The Centre for Science and Environment has not submitted the report to the Government.


(e), (f) & (g) : There is no recent reliable study on vehicular pollution indicating the comparison of Indian vehicles with vehicles from other part of the world. The steps taken by the Government to improve the technology and emissions of vehicles include the following: - India 2000 norms akin to Euro-I norms has been made effective for all categories of vehicles manufactured on and after 1.4.2000 in the entire country; - Bharat Stage II norms akin to Euro-II norms have been made effective for four wheelers in four metros in a phased manner. - Emission norms for Compressed Natural Gas driven vehicles has been made effective from 9.2.2000; - Emission norms for Liquefied Petroleum Gas driven vehicles has been notified on 24.4.2001; - Promotion of Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas driven vehicles.