Will BS7 and EU7 Regulations Lead to the End of Petrol Cars?
The New Emission Standards In the dead of night, a stealthy figure lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike—a ghostly specter of regulations that threatens to end the era of petrol cars. This figure is the new set of emission standards: Euro 7 (EU7) and Bharat Stage 7 (BS7). These stringent regulations are set to tighten the noose around the neck of internal combustion engines, possibly leading to their demise. The Euro 7 regulations are scheduled to come into force by July 2025, aiming to drastically cut down the pollutants emitted by all types of vehicles, including petrol cars. Similarly, India's BS7 norms, expected to be implemented around the same time, follow a parallel path
The Death Knell for Combustion Engines?
Car manufacturers are already sounding the alarms. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) warns that the new Euro 7 standards could spell the end for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2026. The technical challenges and costs associated with meeting these new emission limits are daunting. Every combustion engine would require a sophisticated multi-stage catalyst system, pushing development costs through the roof and potentially making smaller vehicles unviable.
What the New Regulations Entail
Under the new Euro 7 standards, all vehicles will have to meet the same stringent emission limits, regardless of fuel type. This includes not just the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO), but also new controls on pollutants like ammonia and formaldehyde. The Euro 7 regulations extend the compliance period to 10 years or 124,000 miles, meaning cars will need to stay within emission limits for much longer than under previous standards.
In India, the BS7 standards will require on-board monitoring of real-world emissions, moving beyond laboratory tests. This means that vehicles will have to continually meet emission standards throughout their lifespan, a significant upgrade from the current BS6 regulations. The standards also bring new requirements for the measurement of pollutants from brakes and tires, further complicating compliance for traditional petrol and diesel engines.
The Industry's Response
The auto industry is at a crossroads. Some carmakers argue that these new standards are pushing the boundaries of current technology. For high-performance and utility vehicles, the required emission controls could impact their functionality, especially under high loads or during activities like towing. The industry fears that adapting to these standards might not only be prohibitively expensive but also technologically challenging.
The Future of Petrol Cars
As these regulations loom closer, the writing on the wall becomes clearer. The combination of Euro 7 and BS7 could accelerate the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, as maintaining compliance for petrol and diesel engines becomes increasingly impractical. Some experts predict that by 2026, the landscape of the automotive industry might be transformed, with EVs dominating the market and petrol cars becoming relics of the past.
Conclusion
The suspense builds as we inch closer to 2025. Will the auto industry adapt and survive, or will we witness the end of an era? The introduction of Euro 7 and BS7 regulations marks a critical juncture in automotive history, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown between traditional combustion engines and the rising tide of electric vehicles. As the final act approaches, the world watches with bated breath.