The expert committee constituted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on abatement of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions has invited all the major manufacturers of cars, trucks, and 2-and-3-wheelers, including battery electric vehicle (BEV) makers, to meet tomorrow for deliberations.
According to people familiar with the development, the expert committee has not invited the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to the meeting. “The committee reached a consensus on giving the industry body a slip so as to directly engage with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in order to reach a speedy policy solution for improving air quality and safeguarding public health in Delhi-NCR. The committee doesn’t want any consternation, but a speedy solution to the grave problem plaguing the Capital and adjoining areas,” a highly-placed source told The Statesman.
The expert committee would be meeting under the aegis of Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras, who is the chairman of the panel.
Meanwhile, those representing the two-three-wheeler OEMs would be Hero, TVS, Honda, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Bajaj, Yamaha, E-Sprinto, Ather, Ola Electric and Piaggio. The four-wheeler giants expected to attend the meet include Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Kia, MG, Skoda, Volkswagen, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz.
On the trucking side, those called are Tata, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Mahindra & Mahindra, PMI Electro, Montra Electric, and Switch Mobility.
Car manufacturers to attend the meet include Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Hyundai, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota Kirloskar, Kia, JSW MG, Skoda Auto Volkswagen, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz.
Earlier, reports had suggested that the expert panel is inclined to phase out internal combustion engines in favour of non-polluting vehicles in a time-bound manner: immediate discontinuation of BS-I, BS-I,I and BS-III vehicles; winding down BS-IV vehicles over the next five years; withdrawal of BS-VI two-wheelers by 2035 and cars and 2040. Reportedly, the panel has already put in the draft policy for eliciting feedback, observing that a speedy solution was needed since the health hazards related to air pollution were grave.
The expert committee has the mandate to review policies, programmes, and regulatory frameworks related to clean mobility, including BS norms, electric mobility initiative,s and fuel efficiency standards across Delhi-NCR. It is also mandated to assess segment-wise contributions of vehicular emissions and related exposure risks and recommend regulatory measures for the reduction of vehicular emissions.
The panel has been looking into the technological readiness, infrastructural requirements, cost implications, and incentive plans for an accelerated Electric Vehicle (EV) transition across vehicle segments.