The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a phased implementation roadmap for Bharat Stage VII (BS-VII) vehicle emission standards beginning April 2029, according to a report by The Economic Times. The proposed framework, which aligns with European Euro 7 regulations, will span a six-year implementation period ending in April 2035.
Under the proposed timeline, BS-VII standards will initially apply to new passenger vehicles manufactured from April 2029. The second phase will encompass light commercial vehicles and pick-up vans starting in 2030, while heavy-duty trucks and buses will transition under the third phase starting April 2031. Timelines for two-wheelers will be notified separately.
While numerical limits for most gaseous pollutants in passenger vehicles remain unchanged from BS-VI thresholds, the permitted particulate size threshold will be lowered from 23 nanometres to 10 nanometres to capture ultrafine particles. For heavy-duty vehicles, the standards target a 20 to 50 percent emission reduction across major pollutants.
The regulatory framework extends compliance to include real-world driving emissions, market surveillance by independent testing agencies, and new limits on non-exhaust emissions generated by brake wear and tire abrasion. Existing vehicles on the road, including current BS-VI compliant models, will not be affected by the transition according to the report.