The strict emission norms will come into effort from April 2010. As a result many auto makers in India have approached the Indian Government to extend the deadline for emission norms by a couple of months. It is because car makers fear that any mismatch of fuel can have an adverse effect on engines.

While car makers are preparing their cars to meet the stringent emission norms, the Indian Government has been unable to upgrade refineries in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam to meet the norms; but most of the refineries in India have become emission compliant.

Any difference or delay in fuel refining can have adverse effects on car engines, in the case when a lower than recommended grade fuel is used. The engines of automobiles are designed according to the fuel specifications and this can affect the performance of the engine. The emission of sulphur and benzene from vehicles are reduced to make it emission compliant.
While new car launches are geared up to meet the mandated emission standards, some of the existing models need engine upgradation or need to be phased out.

The petroleum ministry has set up a committee to ensure that the 11 metros such as Mumbai, National Capital Region (NCR), Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra will adopt Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) emission norms. Moreover the remaining Indian cities would upgrade to BS III by April 2010.

Top car makers have asked the government to find a solution as quickly as possible as any delay in the decision could have an adverse effect on their future product plans. They have asked the Government to import fuel to these places which cannot gear up to the deadline.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, said that carbon emission intensity cut would include a five-step plan of action for mandatory fuel efficiency standards for vehicles by 2011.