Hero Splendor iSmart becomes first two-wheeler with BS-VI certification.

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) recently awarded India’s first Type Approval Certificate for two-wheelers complying with BS-VI norms to Hero Motocorp’s Splendor iSmart.

The Type Approval Certification involves a manufacturer building a prototype and getting it certified, so that it can commence manufacturing of the vehicle. Hero said that the BS-VI-compliant Splendor has been developed at its facility near Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Dinesh Tyagi, Director, ICAT, congratulated “home-grown” manufacturer Hero for becoming the first in the country to get BS-VI certification. “The BS-VI emission standards are much more elaborate in their scope, and integrate substantial changes to existing emission standards, ensuring cleaner products to the consumer,” he said.

When the 2020 move to BS-VI was announced, there were apprehensions in the industry on whether it would be able to prepare itself for this technological shift. Even now, there are questions on how much the initial price of a vehicle would increase by under the BS-VI regime. Industry experts believed that the rise in cost could be in the vicinity of ₹10,000 for two-wheelers.

As BS-VI regulations raise the bar on NOx emissions, the fuel consumed by the engine increases. Tyagi pegged the increase between 5-12 per cent, based on inputs he received from OEMs. “When you try to control NOx, there is a natural impact on the fuel consumption,” he said, adding that OEMs did request that the NOx limit be considered so as to maintain fuel consumption.

However, they all agreed to look at other methods to improve fuel consumption, such as weight reduction.

Tyagi said that ICAT would invest ₹45 crore on EV specialisation by October this year.

ICAT also has certification services for EVs and has already certified hybrid vehicles such as the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Honda Accord. However, Tyagi said that there are significant challenges ahead before India fully adopts EVs.

These include lack of a lithium-ion battery manufacturing base, inadequate charging infrastructure and lukewarm response from customers.

HBL