I Planning Phase 1 Year
a) Preliminary study to develop a framework for fuel consumption standards
b)
Finalise strategy for testing of fuel efficiency of trucks and buses under standard test conditions (chassis dynamometer or engine dynamometer or computer simulation or a combination of these three methods)
c) Development of test cycles for testing of trucks and buses
d) Setup of testing infrastructure for testing of trucks and buses to collect fuel efficiency data under standard test cycles
e) Design fuel consumption standards for trucks and buses - both engine standards and vehicle standards
f) Decide schedule of implementation of fuel consumption standards
g) Develop methodology for measurement of fuel efficiency of trucks and buses (post implementation)
h) Define fuel economy information and labelling mechanism
i) Define policy measures for implementing the fuel consumption standards
II Consultation Phase 6 months
j) Consult with various stakeholders on policies framed and schedule of implementation of fuel consumption standards
k) Based on consultations, finalise:-
• Fuel consumption standards for trucks and buses - both engine standards and vehicle standards
• Schedule of implementation of fuel consumption standards • Fuel economy information and labelling mechanism
• Policy measures for implementing the fuel consumption standards
III Implementation Phase 6 months
Decide fuel economy certification process and compliance monitoring mechanisms
Vehicle testing and monitoring as per strategies developed for implementation
As discussed, lack of availability of standardised data is the biggest challenge for development of fuel consumption norms in India. Fuel economy details of various vehicle models of trucks and buses are neither disclosed by the manufacturers nor collected by testing agencies like Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Implementation of vehicle and engine standards would require collection of baseline data of all existing models of Diesel (Engine driven) trucks & buses as well as diesel engines under pre-defined testing conditions. Therefore, the focus in the initial phase i.e. the Planning phase should be on developing the fuel consumption framework and testing strategy for testing of diesel (engine) driven trucks and buses. This phase will involve defining test cycles and standard test conditions under which fuel economy data would be recorded. This phase will also involve defining policy measures for implementing fuel consumption standards. ARAI, being the premier automotive technology institution in India, will have to play a pivotal role in design, implementation and enforcement of these standards.
In the Consultation phase, focus shall be on bringing various stakeholders including OEMs, testing agencies, government bodies and other related institutions on board to hold discussions on policies and schedule of implementation of fuel consumption standards and build consensus across various stakeholders. This phase would involve detailed discussions on fuel consumption standards and practical considerations in implementation of these standards. The discussions would also involve review of policy measures, which would accelerate the process of acceptance of fuel consumption standards. Tax incentives such as reduction in excise duty (currently at 12% for trucks and buses) for models compliant with finalised fuel consumption standards will promote the use of fuel-efficient vehicles in future. Japan had taken a similar approach wherein they offered incentives such as reduction in Acquisition tax and Tonnage tax for vehicles, which were compliant with the 2015 fuel efficiency standards (refer Table 3.20: Tax incentives on fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles for details on tax incentives on fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles provided under HDV regulations in Japan). Based on the feedback and concerns of various stakeholders, fuel consumption standards and policy measures for their implementation shall be finalised.
The Implementation phase will involve vehicle testing as per defined standards and establishing a monitoring framework for the program. Considering the existing number of diesel (engine driven) trucks and buses, significant ramp of testing facilities in India is required for collection of baseline data and monitoring the program in the Implementation phase. ARAI can be the key nodal agency for coordinating with various testing facilities and other agencies to facilitate the collection of data and enforcement of standards in India.
5 OVERVIEW OF TESTING FACILITIES IN INDIA
5.1 Introduction
During the last decade, India has emerged as an important auto-manufacturing destination for the global vehicle manufacturers. In the light of demand for global safety, emission and performance norms, development of world-class Testing, Certification and Homologation facilities was critical for creating a globally competitive automotive ecosystem in India. Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was the premier government institute providing expertise in the areas of design & development and know-how for manufacturing & testing of vehicles. However, rapidly growing automotive industry, along with development of major auto-hubs across India had created a major gap in testing and R&D infrastructure, which could not be filled by existing government automotive testing facilities. Since testing and validation infrastructure is critical to the product development, OEMs started investing heavily in establishing their own testing facilities. Taking cognizance of the fact and with the aim of addressing one of the most critical handicaps in the overall growth of automotive industry in India, Department of Heavy Industry came with a program christened National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP). NATRiP is the most significant initiative taken by the Department of Heavy Industry for establishing much-needed world-class automotive testing, validation, R&D and homologation facilities in India. In addition, several other engine manufacturers, component manufacturers and institutions have facilities for engine testing including:
1. Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun 2. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)
3. Bosch Technical Center India, Bangalore
4. Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar