New truck fuel norms spark tussle over testing method

The new rules aim to cut fuel use, lower costs and curb emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

- Manas Pimpalkhare & Ayaan Kartik

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has opposed the truck makers' proposal to use a homegrown testing tool for upcoming fuel efficiency norms for heavy-duty vehicles, fearing it could delay the implementation of its rules.

Three people familiar with consultations between the industry and government on the implementation of constant speed fuel consumption (CSFC) norms for heavy-duty trucks told Mint that truck manufacturers favored the use of Bharat Vecto, a new testing tool still being developed jointly by the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

Bharat Vecto stands for Bharat Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool, which simulates the real-world conditions of Indian roads and tests the fuel efficiency of such trucks. It's based on the European vehicle energy consumption calculation tool (Vecto).

The government agency is keen on proceeding with the existing Vecto and CSFC norms, as there is no clarity yet on when Bharat Vecto would be ready for launch. Industry sources estimate the arrival of the tool in 2027 or 2028, but there is no confirmation about the timeline. Currently, the CSFC test is used to determine the fuel efficiency of trucks.