Ban on BS-III Cars: Should You Worry?
Modified On Mar 30, 2017 04:46 PM By Jagdev
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The apex court of India has banned the sale and registration of new BS-III vehicles in India from April 1, 2017
The Supreme Court of India has announced that the sale and registration of new BS-III vehicles will be banned across the nation April 1, 2017, onwards. The move applies to both private and commercial vehicle segments and encompasses two-, three-, four-wheeler and multi-axle vehicles.
How does it impact you?
The move doesn't affect the majority of four-wheeler buyers in India as most of the carmakers had already completed the transition of their portfolio from BS-III to BS-IV. Sale of BS-III vehicles in the private segment is limited to only a few cities where BS-III vehicles like the Mahindra Bolero, Tata Indica etc. are sold. Most of these cars get BS-IV-compliant engines too, which will ideally be offered henceforth.
The BS-IV cars cost more than their BS-III versions; however, the incremental cost is not too high. In the Bolero's case, while the BS-III ZLX variant costs Rs 8.55 lakh, the BS-IV ZLX costs Rs 8.70 lakh (ex-showroom).
Of the total automotive inventory of around 8.24 lakh vehicles, only about 16,000 are passenger cars. Two-wheeler is the worst hit segment with almost 6 lakh new BS-III two-wheelers lying unsold.
What happens to the existing BS-III vehicles?
Owners of the existing legal BS-III vehicles need not worry, as they can continue to run their cars like before. BS-IV compatible fuel, which was not available until now in some of the states, will now be available throughout the nation. BS-III vehicles run smoothly on the new fuel. One can also buy and sell legal existing BS-III vehicles in the country.
