International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)
Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 193-198. Article ID: IJMET_10_04_019
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4
ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
© IAEME Publication
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QUEST FOR CONTROL OF FUEL
CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSION IN INDIAN
PASSENGER CARS – AN ANALYSIS OF THE
PROGRESS AND PROGNOSIS
R. Vishvak
III Year (B Tech), Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research, Chennai
Dr. Ravi V V
Professor, Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship, India
ABSTRACT
India has witnessed significant growth in the manufacture of automobiles. Growth
in vehicle population results in several environmental issues. Regulators have been
controlling the emissions by setting standards. Carbon dioxide is one of the key
emissions to be controlled and the same is a direct function of the fuel consumed. The
objective is to conserve fuel and control global warming. Hence the focus is on fuel
efficiency norms. Various steps have been taken by automobile industry towards
improving fuel efficiency. This article attempts to ascertain the trend in fuel efficiency
of the petrol and diesel vehicles as per the data reported by Society of Indian Automotive
Manufacturers (SIAM).
Keywords: Carbon Dioxide, Emission Norms, Fuel Efficiency, Global warming
Cite this Article R. Vishvak and Dr. Ravi V V, Quest For Control of Fuel Consumption
and Co2 Emission in Indian Passenger Cars – an Analysis of the Progress and Prognosis,
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 10(4), 2019, pp. 193198.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=10&IType=4
1. INTRODUCTION
With the increase in population, the number of vehicles on road has been increasing rather
steeply. In India, over 4 Million Passenger vehicles are manufactured and the growth of this
segment in auto sector is over 24% in the last 3 years [1]. Similar trend has been witnessed all
over the world. Growth of vehicles has resulted in several environmental issues which are being
very effectively addressed by the regulators and vehicle manufacturers of various countries.
The limits were progressively tightened, and the automotive industry responded by developing
new engines, new technologies and after treatment devices such as catalysts.
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R. Vishvak and Dr. Ravi V V
In the beginning, carbon dioxide to which carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were oxidised
was thought to be harmless. However, it was soon realised that global warming was becoming
a major issue and carbon dioxide must be controlled to limit this phenomenon, along with other
steps to limit greenhouse gases. In the case of automobiles, be it cars or two wheelers or any
other vehicle, CO2 is a direct function of the fuel consumed.
Vehicles are one of the contributors to air pollution and there is need to reduce vehicular
emissions on a continuous basis. Indian Automotive Industry recognised this fact and is
continuously working towards controlling emissions as per the roadmap suggested by the Auto
Fuel Policy and proactively developing environment-friendly technologies. The first stage of
mass emission norms came into force for petrol vehicles in 1991 and in 1992 for diesel vehicles.
Effective April 1995, mandatory fitment of catalytic converters in new petrol passenger cars
sold in the select cities along with supply of Unleaded Petrol was introduced. Bharat Stage IV
was implemented April 2010 onwards in 13 cities and the rest of the country moved to Bharat
Stage III. Indian Government emission regulations follow the European model. Now BS IV is
followed with Euro IV limits. Government has decided to skip BS V and implement BS VI
(equivalent to Euro VI) from 2020 for cars [1].
Unlike the emissions standards provided in Bharat Stage IV, the fuel efficiency norms are
considered to be more complex to enforce. In order to comply with Bharat stage emissions
standards, Type of Approval and Conformity of Production Procedures have been stipulated.
Fuel economy norms are proposed as sales weighted corporate average fuel consumption for
each vehicle manufacturer, based on what they sell in a year. Fuel economy level varies across
car models and makes that each manufacturer produces [2].
The fuel economy norms have been proposed in two phases in India – 2017-18 and 202223. While these norms have been inordinately delayed these are also considered very weak [2].
The corporate average fuel consumption norm to be enforced this year is 5.2 litre/100 km (19.2
KMPL) or 130 CO2 gm/km. In 2022-23 the target will be 4.77litre/100km (20.96 KMPL) or
113 gm/km, when European norm will be as stringent as 95 gm CO2/km [3]. As stated earlier,
CO2, a greenhouse gas, is directly proportionate to the amount of fuel consumed.
The regulator needs the actual number of cars sold by model and make of each manufacturer
to calculate their average CO2/fuel consumption levels to verify compliance with the standards.
This requires a very disciplined and credible reporting of fuel economy and vehicle sales data
of all car models and variants in a year.
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has been publishing the Fuel Efficiency Data
for various models of Passenger Vehicles manufactured in India. This article analyses the fuel
efficiency data published in the SIAM reports relating to 3 different periods.
2. PRESENT STUDY
The present study covers the specifications of Passenger cars – both Petrol and Diesel and the
fuel economy of the vehicle models listed in the FE Declarations. The data provided in 1st SIAM
FE Declaration (2010-11) published in Jan 2011, 8th SIAM FE Declaration 2016-17 and the 9th
SIAM FE Declaration 2017-18 published in March 2019 have been considered for the analysis.
2.1. ANALYSIS:
The analysis of fuel economy data provides the following information:
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Quest For Control of Fuel Consumption and Co2 Emission in Indian Passenger Cars – an Analysis
of the Progress and Prognosis
Table 1: No of 4W models considered for Analysis
No of models considered:
Fuel Type
Diesel
2010-11
127
2016-17
253
2017-18
238
Petrol
Total
143
270
165
418
201
439
Table 2: Trend Analysis – Weight & Fuel Economy:
Petrol Vehicles
Weight Kg
Fuel Economy in Km/ltr.
Years
2010-11
2016-17
Minimum
596
655
Maximum
992
2432
Average
1347
1196
Minimum
23.9
25.2
Maximum
6.8
8.7
Average
13.46
16.48
2017-18
678
2465
1329
46.5
7.8
15.74
Diesel Vehicles
Weight Kg
Years
2010-11
2016-17
2017-18
Minimum
992
635
780
Maximum
2445
2740
2840
Fuel Economy in Km/ltr
Average
1550
1525
1615
Minimum
23.6
33.4
28.4
Maximum
8.7
9.9
9.6
Average
16.37
18.42
18.14
3. OBSRVATIONS &DISCUSSIONS:
The observation from analysed are discussed under three sub-headings: (1) Relationship
between Weight and Fuel Economy (2) Impact on CO2 Emission and (3) Other Observations.
3.1. Relationship between Weight & Fuel Economy:
The relationship between Weight of the vehicle and Fuel economy for each of the period is
given Figures 1, 2 & 3:
Figure 1:
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Figure 2:
Figure 3:
It is seen that Fuel economy becomes poorer with the increase in the weight. Based on the
equations of best fit straight line, obtained in the Figure 1-3, every increase of 100 kgs, in weight
results in drop in fuel economy as under:
Table 3: Drop in Fuel Economy for every increase in 100 Kgs in Weight
Fuel Type
Petrol Vehicles
Diesel Vehicles
2010-11
0.85
0.91
2016-17
0.84
1.05
2017-18
0.80
0.94
3.2. Impact on CO2 Emission
An analysis done on the impact of the Fuel Economy on CO2 emissions, worked out for each
of the periods. Automotive Research Association of India has provided the conversion factors
between the fuel consumption and CO2 emission. For Petrol and Diesel fuel, the conversion has
been worked out in Table 4.
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Quest For Control of Fuel Consumption and Co2 Emission in Indian Passenger Cars – an Analysis
of the Progress and Prognosis
Table 4: Fuel Economy – CO2 Emission Conversion [4]:
Petrol Vehicles
CO2 g/km =
(Fuel Consumption in Ltrs/100 KMs ) /0.04217
OR 2371/Fuel Efficiency in Km/ltr.
Diesel Vehicles
(Fuel Consumption in Ltrs/100 KMs ) /0.03776
OR 2648/Fuel Efficiency in Km/ltr.
Table 5: Trend Analysis – Range of CO2 Emission from Petrol & Diesel Vehicles (applying the
conversion factor in Table 4):
Petrol Vehicles
Fuel Economy in km/ltr
Years
2010-11
2016-17
2017-18
Minimum
6.8
8.7
7.8
Maximum
23.9
25.2
46.5
CO2 Emission in g/km*
Average
13.46
16.48
15.74
Worst
349
273
304
Best
99
94
51
Average
176
144
151
Diesel Vehicles
Fuel Economy in km/ltr
CO2 Emission in g/km*
Years
2010-11
2016-17
Minimum
8.7
9.9
Maximum
23.6
33.4
Average
16.37
18.42
Worst
304
267
Best
112
79
Average
162
144
2017-18
9.6
28.4
18.14
276
93
146
*Minimum emission for model having maximum fuel economy
Ministry of Power has issued the proposed norm for CO2 Emission These norms are
applicable based on Corporate Average Fuel Economy for each manufacturer.
CO2 Norm proposed for 2017-18 : 130gm/km
CO2 Norm proposed for 2022-23 onwards: 113 gm/km[3]
3.3. Other Observations
(1) No. of Diesel models almost doubled since 2010-11 (Table 1)
(2) Avg. weight of both Diesel & Petrol increased between 8th & 9th Declaration period
(Table 2)
(3) Diesel Fuel economy gone up from 16.37 kmpl to 18.14 kmpl (Table 2)
(4) Petrol Fuel Economy gone up from 13.46 kmpl to 15.74 - but dropped between 8th &
9th Declaration period (Table 2)
(5) Drop in Fuel economy due to increase in weight: More in Diesel car than Petrol Car.
(Table 3)
It is observed that that there is a considerable scatter in the Fuel Economy values for the
same weight classes. This is due to the fact that there are other engine specifications which can
influence fuel economy. For example, the vehicles fitted with bigger engines, to provide peppier
acceleration and top speed, will be operating at part loads during normal driving and at part
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loads the thermal efficiency will be low resulting in poorer fuel economy. Also vehicles with
automatic transmissions, other parameters being same, will consume more fuel.
4. LIMITATIONS
The analysis is limited to the Petrol/Diesel models given in the data published in the
declarations. Also this analysis has not considered volume of vehicles produced under each
model. CNG/LPG fuel model cars have not been considered for this exercise.
5. CONCLUSION
Sales-weighted average CO2 emissions in FY 2017–2018 from new passenger cars in India
were 121 gm/km, down 2 gm/km from the fleet average performance in FY 2015–2016[5]. Car
manufacturers need to deploy CO2 reduction technologies on a continuous basis. They have to
adjust their product mix so that corporate Average Fuel Economy (CO2 emissions) meets the
mandatory norms.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
SIAM Website & Fuel Efficiency Data published by SIAM - www.siamindia.com
“Government proposes implementation rules for the first-ever fuel consumption norms for
passenger cars - CSE finds gaping holes in them” published by Center for Science and
Environment on Feb 2017. (www.cseindia.org)
Engeljehringer Kurt, Emission regulation trends, AVL India seminar, May 2018
Indian Emission Regulations Booklet, ARAI, Pune, India ,November 2018
ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) briefing on Compliance with India’s
First Fuel consumption Standards for New Passenger Cars (2017-2018) - published on 25th
September 2018 by Zifei Yang in www.theicct.org
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