Emission rules may be delayed for 25-75 hp tractors

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: India is in the advanced stages of finalising the next phase of emission norms for tractors and may delay the rollout of the stricter rules for models in the 25-75 horsepower (hp) range, following lobbying by manufacturers who have argued that tighter standards could raise compliance costs and make these machines more expensive for small farmers, two industry executives aware of the matter said.

- Ayaan Kartik & Nehal Chaliawala

Faridabad-based Escorts Kubota chief financial officer Bharat Madan told Mint that the industry has held meetings with the Union ministry of agriculture, and final recommendations have been submitted to the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH). Manufacturers expect a relaxation in the emis-

sion norms, which are now expected to be implemented from October 2026.

“The ministry of road transport has to take that call and finally issue a notification. But the understanding and recommendation which has gone is that there will be no change in the emission norm at least in the 25 to 75 horsepower segment,” Madan said when asked for updates on the emission norms.

“There may be an increase in the emission norm for more than 75 and less than 25 horsepower tractors,” he added. The upcoming norms may also be modified, which can ease the emission targets for tractor manufacturers in the 25 to 75 hp segment, Madan said.