BS6 emission testing standards to be changed: What it means for you

India’s vehicle emission testing system is set for an important update, with the government confirming a shift to a new testing cycle from April 1, 2027. The change will apply to all BS6-compliant vehicles in the M1 and M2 categories, This move is aimed at making emission and fuel efficiency figures more realistic for everyday driving conditions.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, under which vehicle emissions will be tested using the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure, or WLTP. This will replace the Modified Indian Driving Cycle, which is currently used to certify fuel efficiency and emission levels in India.

The new testing method will cover M1 and M2 category vehicles. M1 vehicles include passenger cars, hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs with up to eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat. M2 vehicles are passenger carriers such as vans and minibuses that have more than eight passenger seats and a gross vehicle weight of up to five tonnes.

What this means for car owners?

At present, MIDC-based testing has often been criticised for not reflecting real-world driving conditions. WLTP, on the other hand, is designed to better match how vehicles are actually driven on the road. As a result, emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter recorded during testing are closer to what vehicles produce in daily use.

For car buyers, this shift is expected to bring more transparency. Fuel efficiency figures displayed by manufacturers are likely to be more realistic, helping consumers make better comparisons between models. While some official mileage figures may appear lower on paper, they are expected to be closer to real-world performance.