The rating of cars on fuel efficiency has become a shot in the arm for the auto makers that the rating will be made on mileage, rather than carbon emission. The government’s Power ministry has entrusted the job to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency by charging Rs200 for each vehicle. The auto makers, however, claim that they already disclose the mileage. Initially, the policy lets the automakers to display the rating voluntarily; gradually it will be made mandatory.
The proposal to rate the vehicles has got shape after hectic parleys for over three months. According to SIAM, the move by the government is seen as a duplicacy of SIAM’s proposal of directing the manufacturers to declare the mileage of their vehicles for certification from Automotive Research Association of India. The new rating to be done on star basis with the top slot 5 points is for vehicles exerting maximum output of mileage. To begin with, cars will come under this rating, followed by other two wheelers and all types of vehicles. The revenue by way of this rating will come to Rs35crore to BEE at Rs200 per vehicle for nearly 1.6million vehicles.
The BEE carry out the testing from Automotive Research Association of India Hyderabad, since it does not have its own facility. It is to be remembered that the Environment Minister had directed the auto industry to display the mileage tag, duly certified by BEE, in every new vehicle. The mandate would be effected either by the Energy Conservation Act or the Motor Vehicles Act.