WHAT IS BS6 ENGINE

April 1, 2000 was a landmark day for the automobile industry in India. On this day, the Indian Government has issued a law for all manufacturers to sell B6 engine vehicles only. The rule was mandated for both the cars and two-wheeler producers. Since then the protocols are getting upgraded and now the BS6 has come into effect.

Preserving the environment for mankind’s well-being was the motive behind the movement. To regulate the system, Bharat Stage Emissions Standards (BSES) took the initiative.

Today, we will be focusing on rules to limit pollutants that vehicles emit implied by BSES. 

 

 

What is BS6 (BSVI)

Bharat State 6 (BS6) is an advanced emission standard than BS4. The standard issues a certain limit that reduces the amount of pollutants a vehicle can emit. It’s a tough emission standard. As per the BS6 norms, the level of releasing emissions is categorized for each type of vehicle.  

If your vehicle crosses the level of emission, then you are asked to check it immediately. Encountering faults may get you into legal complexities.

BS5 has been omitted to provide better emission norms. It is expected that pollution levels on the planet could drop by 90% on using the BS6 vehicles. How? You can get more on this with the BS6 vs BS4 section.

After the millennium, the vehicles manufactured in India must meet the BS6 emission control standard.

 

What is BS4 (BSIV)?

Bharat State 4 (BS4) is an emission standard introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board in India in 2017. CPCB is a government body that operates to measure the amount of air pollutants emitted from vehicle engines.

Reducing the emission of harmful gases through vehicles protects the environment. Vehicles are the only source to emit such pollutants. BSIV standard measures the amount of pollutants within the vehicles. Also, it suggests manufacturers produce vehicles that emit less gases.  

Before BS4, the BS2 and BS3 standards came into force in 2005 and 2010 respectively. However, it has less restrictive emission controls and is emitting higher pollutants.

Moreover, BS4 is a contemporary and more rigorous engine norm than BS3. It governs the amount of pollutants a vehicle can emit into the environment. The BS4 norm can be implemented in all sorts of vehicles from commercial to heavy-duty construction equipment.

 

Difference Between BS4 (BSIV) and BS6 (BSVI)

A great reduction in air pollution has been observed in disallowing the manufacturing of BS4 vehicles. Here is the BS4 and BS6 difference-

Fuel Type	Pollutant Gas	BS4	BS6
Sulfur		50 parts per million (ppm)	10 ppm
For Petroleum Distillate Vehicle	Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)	80 mg	60 mg
	Particulate Matter (PM)	4.5mg/km	-
For Diesel Fuel Vehicle	Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)	250mg	80mg
	Particulate Matter (PM)	25mg/km, 300mg/km	4.5 mg/km, 170mg/km

The fuel type in BS4 and BS6 bikes differences make them function exclusively. Besides, the technology used to measure pollutants in BS4 uses Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). On the other hand, the BS6 makes use of advanced systems.

 

What are BSI, BSII, BSIII, BSIV and BSVI Emission Norms?

1989 was the year when the Indian Government launched emission norms in India. These norms were inspired by the European standards. Since then, the government has been performing upgrades to it. The perception of upgrading the norms is to shrink the pollution percentile in India. So, initially, it was a start with BSI norms and now BSVI is in effect.

Let’s have a look into the details.

BSI:

BSI is the first norm launched in 2000. To lessen carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide emissions was the goal. Under this norm, two-wheelers were allowed to emit

	Light Duty Vehicles (Petrol)	Light Duty Vehicles (Diesel)
Carbon Monoxide- CO (g/km)	2.72-6.90	2.72-6.90
Hydrocarbons- HC (g/km)	-	-
Nitrogen Oxide- NOx (g/km)	-	-
Particulate Matter (PM)	-	0.14-0.25
HC + NOx (g/km)	0.97-1.70	0.97-1.70

 

BSII:

The BSII was released in 2001. A better version of BSI. It was launched aiming to strengthen the emission levels in bikes.

At that time, the BSII vehicles used to integrate catalytic converters. It helped to minimize emissions and prevent air pollution.

The standard was implemented in metropolitan cities only. In 2005, it was mandated nationwide. According to BSII, two wheelers were permitted to emit.

Components	Light Duty Vehicles (Petrol)	Light Duty Vehicles (Diesel)
Carbon Monoxide- CO (g/km)	2.2-5.0	1 – 1.5
Hydrocarbons- HC (g/km)	-	-
Nitrogen Oxide- NOx (g/km)	-	-
Particulate Matter (PM)	-	0.08 - 0.17
HC + NOx (g/km)	0.5 - 0.7	0.7-1.2

 

BSIII:

BSIII is a third version of Bharat Stage introduced in 2005. Implying more restricted levels to control pollutants in vehicles, BSIII has formed. The norm has focused on limiting the quantity of sulfur content to 100ppm in fuel. Exceeding this limit can emit pollutants. Rest of the quantity limits that set in the norm are mentioned as-

	Light Duty Vehicles (Petrol)	Light Duty Vehicles (Diesel)
Carbon Monoxide- CO (g/km)	2.03	0.64
Hydrocarbons- HC (g/km)	0.2	-
Nitrogen Oxide- NOx (g/km)	0.15	0.5
Particulate Matter (PM)	0.05	0.05
HC + NOx (g/km)	0.5-0.7	0.56

 

BSIV:

Bharat Stage 4 is an emission standard launched after three unsatisfactory trial sets. Under this norm, all bikes require the AHO feature. It means the bikes must integrate headlights that turn ON all the time.

Apart from this, the norm has created rules in the context of engine emission, Electronic Control Unit, and Ignition Control. The BSIV has restricted the Sulphur in fuel up to 50ppm. Also, it lessens the limits of other pollutants extensively.

According to BSIV rules, automobile manufacturers have altered their engineering mechanisms.

	Light Duty Vehicles (Petrol)	Light Duty Vehicles (Diesel)
Carbon Monoxide- CO (g/km)	1	0.5
Hydrocarbons- HC (g/km)	0.1
Nitrogen Oxide- NOx (g/km)	0.08	0.39
Particulate Matter (PM)	-	-
HC + NOx (g/km)	-	0.20 - 0.79

 

BSVI:

The government bypassed launching BSV, instead introducing Bharat Stage with powerful rules. Launching this norm has made vehicles more fuel efficient than previous. Equivalent to Euro 6 standard in Europe have enhanced the engine performance.

The norm has set a limit of Sulphur in fuel up to 10 ppm. It’s a tremendous change from BSII’s 500 ppm value reduced to 10 when BSVI came into force. The two-wheeler complying with BS6 norms must have a bike insurance policy.

	Light Duty Vehicles (Petrol)	Light Duty Vehicles (Diesel)
Carbon Monoxide- CO (g/km)	1	1
Hydrocarbons- HC (g/km)	0.1	0.1
Nitrogen Oxide- NOx (g/km)	0.06	0.06
Particulate Matter (PM)	0.0045	0.0045
HC + NOx (g/km)	-	0.068

 

Technological Changes Demanded by BS6 Emission Norms

As per the BS6 norms, vehicles must have sophisticated pollution control systems in order to comply with its standards. It encompasses-

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD)

and refined components of engines to measure the amount of pollutants.

 

Conclusion

From 1989 to till date, the CPCB has endeavored to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle fuel. Since 2000, the government has consistently altered the norms to witness satisfactory impact. Now, we can expect the BSVIII release in the near future. Manufacturers need to go through the norms and engineer the vehicles accordingly. It may influence the vehicle’s costing

 

BS6 Emission Norms- FAQs

What does BS stand for in BS4 and BS6?

BS is an abbreviation for Bharat Stage. BS is an array of emission rules for vehicles in India. It is put down by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Can I use BS4 fuel in a BS6 vehicle?

Technically, you can use BS4 fuel to BS6. But it is not suggested to do so. Using BS4 fuel to BS6 may affect the engine’s performance by clogging filters. Because, BS4 has a higher amount of sulfur content than BS6 which may cause the issue.

Can a BS4 vehicle be upgraded to BS6 standards?

No, it’s not that easy to upgrade a BS4 vehicle to BS6. To make it so, significant modifications are required. It would be technically hard and expensive, which is not feasible to manufacturers  as well.

Is there any mileage difference between BS4 and BS6 vehicles?

Yes, there is an insignificant difference between the BS4 and BS6. The vehicles confirming BS6 norms comprise lower mileage than BS4 vehicles. The advanced technical elements are responsible for this difference.

Is it legal to buy or register a new BS4 vehicle after BS6 norms?

No, it is illegal to buy a new BS4 vehicle over BS6 norms. From April 1, 2020 selling or registering BS4 vehicles have been banned.  It’s a Supreme Court's order for manufacturers to not to sell BS4 vehicles.  

How does BS6 affect vehicle maintenance and running costs?

BS6 is a fuel efficient vehicle. Apart, it consists of advanced technologies to measure the pollutant’s level. So, performance wise, the running cost of BS6 might be lower but the maintenance cost may seem high. 

Why are there no Light switches on BS4 Bikes?

Because, BS4 norms mentioned a rule of Automated Headlamp On (AHO) on two wheelers. It means, the BS4 vehicles must have headlights that always turn ON to raise visibility. So integrating light switches in BS4 can cause breaking a rule and prove unnecessary.