The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (“Ministry”), through a notification dated 17th January, 2020, has brought into effect amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (“Principal Rules”), in relation to Rule 115 of the Principal Rules, which deal with emissions from Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”), Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (“Bio-CNG”) or Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) Vehicles. The amendments have come into force since 17th January, 2020.
Key Changes effecting manufacturers:
- In case of CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG fitments by vehicle manufacturers on new diesel vehicles, each model manufactured by vehicle manufacturers must be the approved type as per the prevailing mass emission norms as applicable for the category of new vehicles with respect to the place of its use.
- The test applicability requirements for dual fuel engines shall depend on the Gas Energy Ratio (“GER”) measured over test-cycle, applicable as per prevailing norms and the GER classification shall be as per the Ministry or the Principal Rules or the Type Approval and Conformity of Production (“TAP”) documents and notifications issued by the Central Government. However, engines approved for specific engine capacity may be installed on the base model and its variant.
- Tests for particulate matter and emission of visible pollutants (like smoke) under the Principal Rules will be applicable for dual fuel or dedicated dual fuel CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG engines or vehicles.
- The prevailing mass emission and On-board diagnostics (“OBD”) norms stipulated in Rule 115 of the Principal Rules for diesel mode will be applicable for dual fuel or dedicated dual fuel modes.
- Mass emission standards for CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG dual fuelor dedicated dual fuel vehicles will be the same as are applicable for diesel vehicles with the exception that Hydrocarbons have to be replaced by NMHC (Non-Methane Hydrocarbons) on measurement basis.
- Also, for Mass emission standards for Methanol fuel, a new type of flex-fuel methanol (M85) has been introduced under Rule 115H of the Principal Rules.
- A new mass emission standard for Di-Methyl Ether (DME or D100) Vehicles have been introduced under a new rule (Rule 115I) in the Principal Rules.
Source: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
