The Integrated Energy Policy 2006, announced by the Planning Commission, Government of India states that if the energy efficiency of all motorized transport vehicles is increased by 50%, our oil requirement will go down by 86 million tones which at current price amounts to US $ 36 billion by 2031-32. Till recently, there was little clarity as to which agency could take the lead in setting the fuel efficiency standards in India. Finally, a solution has been found within the ambit of the Energy Conservation Act 2001. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the statutory Authority under the Union Ministry of Power administers this Act and has the powers to specify norms for processes and energy consumption standards for any equipment, appliances which consume, generate, transmit or supply energy. Accordingly, PCRA has taken the initiative to develop fuel efficiency standards in association with BEE under this Act. PCRA & BEE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop these standards.

As a step in this direction, PCRA along with PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry proposes to organize a seminar “Technology trends for fuel efficiency and emission control in transport sector” covering the following topics: -

The seminar is scheduled to be organized on 31st October 2007 at PHD House, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi as per the enclosed programme. Shri M.S. Srinivasan, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Chairman, PCRA has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest. In addition, Dr. R.C. Panda, Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industry has agreed to deliver the special address on a contemporary topic related to setting fuel efficiency standards for motorized vehicles. We are expecting around 200 delegates from the Vehicle Manufacturing Companies, Oil Sector, SIAM, ARAI, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industry, BEE, CSIR labs, universities and IITs.

Since major countries i.e. United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia, China, South Korea, Taiwan and California as a state of US have already set their own motor vehicle fuel economy and GHG emission standards, it is high time for India to set bench mark for efficient engine technology and label the vehicles w.r.t fuel efficiency norms.