Looking to buy a bike from Bajaj, Hero, Honda, TVS or Enfield? Confused between BS4 and BS6? Read below to know more about the difference between BS4 and BS6.
Before going in-depth into the BS6 or Bharat Stage 6 norm, let’s start with the basics. The Bharat Stage Emissions Standards (BSES) was introduced in the year 2000 are automotive emissions standards mandated by the government of India to keep a check on air pollutants from an internal combustion engine in a vehicle. These standards are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment and Climate change.
What is BS4 (BSIV)?
Before we understand about BS6 emission or BS6 compliant engine, let’s understand the current BS4 (BSIV) emission norms, engine, performance, and its significance.
The BSES, which is the governing organization for emissions from all types of vehicles in the country, introduced the first emission norms with the name ‘India 2000’ in the year 2000. BS2 and BS3 were introduced in 2005 and 2010, while BS4 norms came into effect in 2017 with stricter emission standards or norms.
Among the regulations set by the governing body, emission-related changes included tailpipe emissions, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), ignition control, etc. The most visible change was the AHO (Automatic Headlamp On), this is one of the norms under the BS4 which catered to the safety aspect of the new emission standards.
What is BS6 (BSVI)?
The governing body, Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES), regulates the output of pollutants from vehicles in the country. The Central Pollution Control Board which falls under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change sets the standards to regulate emissions from vehicles in India.
The first emission standard or norm, introduced in the year 2000, was known as ‘India 2000’ and later, BS2 and BS3 were introduced in 2005 and 2010, respectively. While the first three emission norms were introduced at regular intervals, BS4 was introduced in 2017, after a gap of seven years.
The BS6 emission standard is the sixth iteration of the emission norm and comparatively, it’s a substantial leap in terms of reducing pollution compared to the outgoing BS4. This is also because the BS5 (BSV) has been skipped in an effort to move to better emission norms.
When will BS6 come to India?
BS6 or Bharat Stage 6 emission norm is due to arrive in India by 1st April of 2020.
What are BSI, BSII, BSIII, BSIV and BSVI Emission Norms?
These are emission standards set by the governing body Bharat Safety Emission Standard (BSEB) to regulate the output of pollutants from vehicles plying on the road. The Central Pollution Control Board, under the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, sets the permissible pollution levels and timeline to implement the same by vehicle manufacturers.
The Indian emissions standards are based on the lines of European norms commonly known as EURO 2, EURO 3, and so on. The first regulations with the moniker India 2000 were introduced in 2000, with the second and third iteration introduced in 2001 and 2005 with the moniker BSII (BS2) and BSIII (BS3), respectively.
The fourth iteration BSIV or BS4 was introduced in 2017 and the delay between the introduction of BS3 and BS4 resulted in fast-tracking the BSVI or BS6 emission instead of BSV or BS5 norms. Each of these emission norms has stricter emission standards compared to its predecessors.
How is BS6 different from BS4?
The norm will bring a change in the fuel, as the BS6 compliant engine requires BS6 fuel. A BS6 vehicle using BS4 fuel will not adhere to the BS6 norms.
- A vital difference between BS6 and the outgoing BS4 fuel is that the BS6 fuel contains 5 times fewer sulphur traces (10 parts per million) compared to BS4 (50 ppm). NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) level will be brought down by a staggering 70% for Diesel engine and 25% for Petrol Engines.
- The BS6 brings along a plethora of changes, most significant being the mandatory OBD (Onboard Diagnostics) for all vehicles.
- RDE (Real Driving Emission) will be introduced for the first time that will measure the vehicle’s emission in real-world conditions against simulated conditions.
- Introduction of DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for Diesel engines.
What is a BS6 ready engine?
A Bharat Stage 6 ready engine has major modifications to its components to make it cleaner and adhere to the BS6 emission norm. Modifications like improved fuel quality composition and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) are put to use to make the vehicle BS6 ready.
Why is there no Light switch on BS4 Bikes?
All two-wheelers, including motorcycles and scooters that were manufactured from 1 April 2017 featured the Automatic Headlamp on (AHO). As the moniker suggests, all two-wheelers are required to have the headlights on at all times. In compliance with the BS4 norms, all new two-wheelers will not have a light switch for the headlight, since it needs to be always on. However, the pass and the low and high beam light switch were kept untouched.
The reason behind the introduction of AHO was keeping both the rider’s and pedestrian’s safety. The light remains on during the day as well, which makes it visible to passersby.
Ahead of the deadline of the implementation of BS6 compliant vehicles from 1 April 2020, several bike manufacturers have launched BS6 bikes in India.
What are the challenges with BS6?
While it all sounds good to the consumers. With the eventual phase-out of BS4 and introduction of BS6, automakers are pressing round-the-clock to develop BS6 compliant vehicles. In fact, due to non-compliancy, the Diesel engine has taken a massive hit with sales dropping to an all-time low.
Update Automobile manufacturers need to get rid of their BS4 stock before April as the Supreme Court of India has ruled that no BS4 vehicles will be sold after April 2020.
Billions have been invested in technology, research and development of BS6 fuel compatible engines. Also, with the BS6 upgrade, the cost of manufacturing will shoot up with analysts claiming prices to soar up by 10%-15%.
Should I buy a BS4 Bajaj vehicle now?
The India automobile sector is going through a major crisis. The global recession, high-interest rates and the growing second-hand market may be behind this. However, the upcoming BS6 rollout in April 2020 is the biggest reason behind this slump.
Now is the right time to buy and get a sweet deal on outgoing BS4 vehicles.
First, let’s clear the air on BS4 vehicle validity. The Supreme Court of India ruled that all BS4 vehicles will continue to ply and be legal on the roads even after BS6 rollout. It is only the sale of BS4 vehicles is going to be ceased after June 2020.
Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said “BS-IV vehicles which are purchased up to March 2020 will remain operational for their entire duration of registration”
So, why should you buy a BS4 vehicle now? Here’s why!
- Huge Discounts
- Value for Money
- Once produced, they will be used, so why not you?