BS 6 vs BS 4 Emission Norms Comparison

Most of us would have seen cars coming out in 2020 with 'BS 6' label on it. What does it actually mean? To explain it in a common man's terms, it means the emission laws imposed on a vehicle to regulate the pollution levels due to the burning of fossil fuels.

The government of India has put forth pollution regulations known as Bharat Stage Emission Standards (BSES). It mandates all the vehicle manufacturers (two and four wheeler) to manufacture vehicles based on the emission standards set by the government. From April 1, 2020 all the vehicles manufactured, sold and registered in India should comply with the BS 6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission standards.

This article is about the differences between the old standard BS 4 and the upcoming emission norms BS 6.

The BSES introduced the first emission norms in India in the year 2000 with the name 'India 2000', which can also be considered as BS 1. Five years down the line, BS 2 was introduced in 2005, followed by BS 3 in 2010 and BS 4 in 2017 with stricter emission norms. BS 5 has been skipped to achieve the climate control goals set for India in the Paris Climate Accord in 2016.

All the BS norms are in line with the Euro norms that is followed in European countries.

Petrol engine:

Norms	NOx (mg/km)	PM (mg/km)	CO (mg/km)	HC (mg/km)
BS4	80	-	1000	100
BS6	60	-	1000	100

Diesel engine:

Norms	NOx (mg/km)	PM (mg/km)	CO (mg/km)	HC+ NOx (mg/km)
BS4	250	25	500	300
BS6	80	4.5	500	170

NOx - Nitrogen oxide
PM- particulate matters
CO- carbon monoxide
HC- hydrocarbons
mg/km- milligram per kilometer

Automatic Headlamp On (AHO):

One of the notable changes in BS 6 is automatic headlamps on feature which is enabled in two wheelers to keep the headlights on all the time to ensure pedestrian safety.

Exit Warning System

Exit warning system warns the occupants in a car of the vehicles approaching from behind as they open the doors of their car. This system scans the area behind the parked vehicle and keeps the doors locked unless the coast is clear to protect other passing vehicles.

Audi had first introduced this feature in it's A4 and Q7 models in 2015. It would only alert the driver of any approaching vehicles through warning lights. In 2018, Audi upgraded the technology by physically blocking the doors until the approaching vehicle passes by. It doesn't lock the door forever but for a mere 0.8 seconds which should be enough for a vehicle to pass by. It was installed in A8 model.

Mercedes GLA 2020

Mercedes Benz is set to launch the all new GLA-class in the compact luxury SUV segment. It is expected to hit the Indian market in June 2020. It will have petrol and diesel engines complying to BS6 norms. The prices are expected to start at 43 lakhs INR. The good news for the customers is that bookings are open and preorders can fetch a discount of 1 lakh INR.

There are minor changes in the overall design which doesn't much change the looks compared to it's predecessor. The wheelbase has been increased and the overhangs have been shortened to provide more interior space. It will be 30 mm wider. 104 mm has been added to it's height and 15 mm reduced in length. Despite the reduction in length, legroom won't be affected as the wheelbase has been increased.

Mercedes has added some new safety features:

• Sensors to detect pedestrians around the car to alert the driver.
• Exit warning system to keep the doors of the car locked unless the lane besides the vehicle is clear and no vehicles or cyclists are approaching the car.
• Active Break assist system to automatically apply brakes in the event of an impending collision.

When launched the GLA-class will give competition to the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3.

Engine specs:

GLA 200 will come with a 1.3 liter turbocharged petrol engine capable of producing 161 hp and 250 Nm torque. It will be coupled with 7 speed dial cluth transmission.

GLA 35 4MATIC AMG will come with a 2 liter turbocharged petrol engine churning out a power of 302 hp and 400 NM torque. It will come with an AMG speedshift 8 speed dual clutch transmission.