Difference Between BS4 and BS6 Emission Norms : BS4 vs BS6

The Indian government first introduced the Bharat Stage emission standards (BSES) in 2000 to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engines in automobiles. BS4 and BS6 emission norms are equivalent to Euro4 and Euro6. The difference between BS4 and BS6 engine norms is in what gases or emissions these engines emit to the environment.

Currently, BS6 emission norms are in place in India. The government of India skipped BS5 and implemented BS6 emission norms in India. Don’t miss this article on self-driving cars and how they work?

Bharat Stage Emission Norms

Emission Norm Reference Year Region
India 2000 Euro 1 2000 Nationwide
Bharat Stage 2 Euro 2 2001 NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai
2003 NCR, 13 Cities
2005 Nationwide
Bharat Stage 3 Euro 3 2005 NCR, 13 Cities
2010 Nationwide
Bharat Stage 4 Euro 4 2010 NCR, 13 Cities
Bharat Stage 5 Euro 5 Skipped
Bharat Stage 6 Euro 6 April 2020 Nationwide

BS4 vs BS6 Engines : What is the Difference

From BS-4 to BS-6, Internal Combustion engines has lots of improvements. But the major focus is on saving the environment. This article covers the changes from BS-4 to BS-6 in engine emissions.

Petrol Emission Norms (in g/KM)
Emission Norm CO HC NOx HC+NOx PM
BS-3 2.30 0.2 0.15 -- --
BS-4 1.00 0.1 0.08 -- --
BS-6 1.00 0.1 0.06 -- 0.005
Diesel Emission Norms (in g/KM)
Emission Norm CO HC NOx HC+NOx PM
BS-3 0.64 -- 0.50 0.56 0.05
BS-4 o.50 -- 0.25 0.30 0.025
BS-6 0.50 -- 0.06 0.17 0.005
Source - Indian Emissions Regulations/ARAI

Advantages of BS6 engines over BS4 engines

India adopted BS-6 emission norms from Euro 6 norms. Following are the benefits of BS6 norms.

  • BS6 engine does approximate 25% reduction in NOx emission in petrol engine and 68% reduction in diesel engine.
  • PM emission reduces by approximately 80% in diesel engines.
  • OBD2 is mandatory in BS6 norms. As a result, real-time pollution monitoring is feasible. Read this article to know in detail about OBD Devices.
  • BS6 Real Driving Emission (RDE) measures the emission in real-world conditions and not just under test conditions.
  • Bharat Stage 6 norms will also change the way particulate matter is measured. It will now measured by number standard instead of mass standard. As a result BS6 engines can regulate the fine particulate matter.

Impact of moving from Bharat Stage 4 to Bharat Stage 6

Moving from BS4 to BS6 has the following impact. 

  1. Oil Refineries
  2. Automobile Emission System
  3. Automobile Industry
Oil Refineries

BS-6 compliant engines require BS-6 compliant fuel. The difference between BS6 and BS4 fuel is the presence of sulfur. In BS-6 fuel, sulfur amount is 10 ppm instead of 50 ppm in BS4 fuel. As a result, oil refineries has improved their oil quality.

Effect of BS-6 Fuel on Existing Vehicles: BS6 fuel has no effect on old vehicles. But it has reduced emissions in BS4 vehicles as well.

Automobile Emission System

An upgrade from BS-4 to BS-6 norms requires an upgrade in vehicle exhaust systems. A NOx sensor and AdBlue tank are latest additions in the BS-6 exhaust system. To reduce NOx gases amount from exhaust AdBlue Liquid is sprayed on exhaust gases.

Automobile Industry

For automobile companies moving from BS4 to BS6 was a challenging task. They developed BS6 compliant vehicles with the major change in the vehicle exhaust system. This upgrade also increased the vehicle price.

To sum up, BS6 vehicles will help in reducing air pollution. Conversion of vehicles from BS4 to BS6 has increased the vehicle prices. Prices of diesel vehicles will increase more compared to petrol vehicles. 

We will keep adding more information on bs4 vs bs6 vehicles. Please add your suggestions, comments, or questions on the difference between bs4 and bs6 engines.

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