Cars will have stars to show fuel efficiency

Found the following link at the ToI website: Soon, cars will have stars to show fuel efficiency - The Times of India The News reads thus: MUMBAI: At a time when fuel prices are burning a hole in the common man's pocket, preliminary estimates have found that in India, only 9% to 16% car models are energy efficient. A consultation paper recently released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to set fuel efficiency standards for car models pointed out that the average weight of cars sold every year in the country was increasing and there has been a three-fold rise in the number of cars over the last decade. "If the trend continues, in 2020, it would increase to over 5.5 million per year and the total stock in the country would exceed 45 million. The annual fuel requirement would then be in excess of 25 million tonnes of oil equivalent," the paper warned. It revealed that with the increasing weight of cars, the fuel consumption per 100 km was not reducing. Preliminary estimates made in the paper state that of the total 330 car models in India, 32 fell within 5-star category-assumed as the most fuel efficient while 52 fell in 4-star category, comparatively less fuel efficient. As per the BEE's assumption, cars in 5-star category are those which roughly consume up to 7 litres of fuel for 100 km. Those consuming between 7 and 9 litres fall in 4-star category whereas those between 9 and 11 litres per 100 km belong to the 3-star category. Cars consuming 12 litres of fuel for 100 km and beyond are in the 1-star category. Primary findings suggest that 105 car models fall in the 3-star category while 69 models belong to the 2-star category. In the 1-star category, there are 72 models. Thus, there are more number of less fuel efficient cars than efficient ones. Considering the market of car models (falling in different star categories as per BEE's preliminary assumption) in thousands, the sale of 1-star and 5-star models assumes the lowest between 62 and 72 vehicles per 1,000 vehicles. The sale of four-star car models is the highest at 625 in 1,000 vehicles. However, the 2- and 3-star categories are selling at 535 to 585 cars among 1,000 vehicles each, making it difficult for the country to meet the fuel efficiency target. "In view of the expected tripling of cars in the next decade and considering national import dependence on petroleum in excess of 70%, besides the declining urban air quality due to increasing fuel consumption, it is important to provide strong signals to both car manufacturers and users of the need to reduce the average fuel consumption of new cars," the paper stated. The BEE now aims to introduce medium and long term fuel consumption standards for new cars which would provide a regulatory signal to manufacturers to continuously reduce the average fuel consumption of cars sold by them over the next 10-year period. "Similarly, labelling of cars in the market will help consumers know the fuel consumption of a car model and the relative fuel consumption of another model in the same weight category," said the BEE paper. With this technique, BEE hopes to achieve the reduction in fuel consumption per 100 km from the present 6 litres to 5.1 litres by 2016 and up to 4.4 litres per 100 km by 2021. Vimal Shah, an automobile expert attached to Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), said though the government is working in the right direction, it should come up with an effective road infrastructure plan because more fuel is wasted during traffic jams. "The smooth flow of traffic in which cars can attain maximum mileage should be the top priority. Other countries have such norms for manufactures but have better roads too," he said. WIAA executive chairman Nitin Dossa welcomed the move. "It's a good sign as it will not only help save fuel and reduce pollution but people will also get a product of their choice. BEE should go ahead with the plan," he said. :Cheering: A quick tabular comparo is attached for reference. Can we then assume that all cars with ARAI efficiency > 14.28 Kmpl may be considered as 5* rated vehicles? Also, wouldn't in that case all major Diesel cars fall under 5* rated category? Seeking input from the gurus please! Attached Images

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