The two-wheeler industry is raising concerns over the proposed introduction of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing as part of India’s upcoming BS7 emission regulations. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is expected to seek changes to the proposed testing approach for motorcycles and scooters.
RDE testing is intended to measure emissions from vehicles under real-world driving conditions rather than solely through laboratory tests. The process typically uses Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS), which are fitted to the vehicle during testing to record emissions on the road.
While RDE testing is already used in several automotive markets, two-wheeler manufacturers have questioned whether the current testing methodology is suitable for lighter vehicles.
One of the key concerns relates to the additional weight of PEMS equipment. Unlike passenger cars, motorcycles and scooters have considerably lower overall mass and payload capacity. Manufacturers argue that carrying a relatively heavy measurement system could alter the vehicle’s operating conditions and potentially influence its emissions during a test.
According to reports, a study commissioned or conducted by two-wheeler manufacturers examined the impact of adding around 120 kg of PEMS equipment. The findings reportedly showed that average carbon monoxide (CO) emissions increased by about 26%, while nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions rose by approximately 66% when the additional equipment was fitted.
The industry is using these findings to argue that test results could be affected by the measurement setup itself. However, the reported study and its methodology would need to be assessed independently to determine how representative the findings are of actual BS7 testing conditions.
Rather than opposing emissions testing altogether, SIAM is reportedly considering alternative procedures specifically for two-wheelers. The industry body is expected to present its proposals to regulators as discussions around BS7 implementation progress.
One possibility being discussed is introducing a revised RDE methodology for two-wheelers as part of a subsequent phase of BS7, potentially BS7 Phase II. Such an approach could allow regulators and manufacturers additional time to establish a testing procedure that accounts for the size, weight and operating characteristics of two-wheelers.
Balancing Real-World Emissions And Practical Testing
The debate highlights a broader challenge in tightening vehicle emission standards. Real-world testing can provide a more representative picture of emissions than laboratory-only procedures, but the testing equipment and methodology also need to account for differences between vehicle categories.
For two-wheelers, factors such as vehicle weight, rider load, engine capacity and operating conditions can have a relatively significant impact on emissions. Any RDE framework would therefore need to balance the objective of measuring real-world performance with a test setup that does not substantially alter the conditions being measured.
The final BS7 requirements and testing procedures for two-wheelers will depend on the regulatory process and consultations between the government, testing agencies and the automotive industry.
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