The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) is considering a programme to replace old polluting medium and heavy vehicles with fuel efficient vehicles.

A concept note on ‘Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme’ was placed on May 26, 2016, for stakeholders comments, which said that old vehicles would get the following financial benefits: 

• The scrap value of the vehicle. 

• Incentives from OEMs and government. 

It has now been decided to place the matter for consideration of Committee of Secretaries (CoS). 

The programme will ensure phasing out of older polluting vehicles and enable their replacement with fuel efficient and environment friendly vehicles.

According to a study instituted by MoRTH and carried out by AT Kearney, M&HCVs (trucks and buses) account for just 2.5% of total fleet, however, they contribute over 60% of pollution.

Vehicle emission standards were first introduced in India in 2000. Since then, these norms have been tightened gradually. The resultant effect is that the older vehicles emit higher degree of harmful pollutants as compared to newer vehicles. Older vehicles also have lower fuel efficiency as compared to new vehicles, leading to significant loss in energy efficiency (one of the key focus areas currently being pushed through multiple initiatives like Prakash Path, LED program of the government).

The committee of secretaries for Energy Conservation constituted by the Prime Minister has identified replacement of heavy-duty vehicles as a key initiative. In light of above, it is proposed to launch a targeted vehicle modernisation program to provide a major thrust to the country’s green initiatives. 

The information was given by minister of state for Road Transport & Highways, P Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. 

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