KATHMANDU: India will adopt a new vehicle emission testing system from April 1, 2027. The government has decided to adopt the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle for measuring fuel efficiency and emissions.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Under the new rule, BS6 vehicles in the M1 and M2 categories will be tested using the WLTP cycle according to Autocar India.
The M1 and M2 categories include passenger cars, SUVs, MPVs, and commercial passenger vehicles such as vans and buses with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 5 tons.
Testing will be carried out on a chassis dynamometer, following procedures defined under AIS-175 standards.
At present, fuel efficiency and emission levels in India are measured using the Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC).
The WLTP cycle is considered more realistic, as it better reflects actual on-road driving conditions. It measures pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter in a way that is closer to real-world performance compared to laboratory-only results.
