Driving emission tests to check actual performance on road

Soon real driving emission (RDE) tests would be introduced for a more accurate emission profile of new vehicles under on-road conditions in the country. New models of vehicles currently go through mandatory laboratory tests, but global analysis has shown that vehicles produced in line with existing standards generate substantially higher emissions on-road than in laboratory conditions, particularly in case of emissions of diesel vehicles.

Real driving emission tests, which will make Indian emission inspection standards among the most stringent in the world, are intended to keep in check vehicular pollution levels and plug gaps to prevent defaults as seen in the diesel gate scandal involving German auto major.

To prevent manipulations, while a vehicle is being driven on-road, new rules will specify in measurable parameters the characteristics of the test trips including speed range and elevation gain among other factors. Guidelines will also be laid down to improve supervision of emission control strategy of vehicles to prevent use of defeat devices as seen in case of the diesel-gate scandal.

The roads ministry is also framing norms for in-compliance tests for in-use vehicles of all makes and engine types to further check vulnerability. Currently, India defines regulatory standards (Bharat Stage emission rules) for new vehicles and not in-use ones.

In-service compliance tests will be conducted randomly on vehicles on the roads to see if they conform to Bharat Stage emission standards 2020 onwards. There can be penalties involved if significant variations are found after factoring the stage of vehicle’s lifecycle and extent of its maintenance.

Real driving emission tests will become applicable to new models in Europe from September 2017, and for new vehicles from September 2019. Conformity factor of up to 2.1 will be allowed for exceeding NOx emissions limit in the continent.