Automobile industry body SIAM on Wedne-sday termed “unrealistic” bringing BS-VI in 2021-22, even though it welcomed the government’s decision to move over to BS-V emission norms by 2019.

SIAM said that for the country to switch over to BS-V norms, the requisite 10 PPM sulphur, BS-V fuel will have to be introduced by the oil companies by 2019 across India before the new technology vehicles are introduced.

“In case of unavailability of the requisite fuel, use of BS-IV fuel might damage the engine as well as the after-treatment devices fitted in the new vehicle. Also, this might vitiate the new technology benefits and the expected impr-ovements in air quality. If the vehicle and fuel is not compatible, the higher emission norms cannot be met,” said Vinod Dasari, the president of SIAM.

With reference to the upgradation to BS-VI level by 2021-22 as proposed by the government, Mr Dasari stated that intense discussions have already been held with various ministries over the last six months. SIAM has highlighted the challenges versus the benefits of advancing the BS-VI norms from the AFP Committee recommended date of April 2024, he said.

SIAM has proposed that the BS VI norms can be advanced to 2023 by compressing the technology development time by one year. “Any further advancement of BS VI norms will neither be technically possible or advisable due to the extensive testing,” the industry body said.