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Star-Rating System for Vehicles
Context:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested responses from various Union government ministries regarding a petition seeking the implementation of a star-rating system for vehicles, based on fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
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- The petition, heard by the NGT, highlighted that vehicular pollution is the largest contributor to air pollution, accounting for 40% of the total pollution, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The ministries asked to respond include the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Ministry of Power (MoP), the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), which oversees the auto industry.
- The case is set to be heard again on January 10, 2025, when the government’s responses are expected.
Backgrounds
- The applicant referenced a draft notification issued by MoRTH on January 7, 2016, which proposed amending the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, to introduce the star-rating system for vehicles.
- The 2016 draft by MoRTH included designs for star-rating stickers to be affixed to vehicle windows, placing the responsibility on manufacturers.
- Globally, star ratings for vehicles are not new; vehicle fuel efficiency labelling has been in place since 1978 in various countries.
- In the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region, over 13 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, the US, Vietnam, and Thailand, have implemented Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Labelling (VFEL).
- Other non-APEC countries like Brazil, the UK, and Germany have also adopted similar systems.
Importance of Star-Rating Systems for Vehicles
- Safety Ratings: Organisations like ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) and Euro NCAP evaluate vehicles through rigorous crash tests and safety assessments.
- Environmental Impact: Star ratings also assess vehicles based on their environmental performance, including fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.
- Consumer Guidance: Star ratings provide a straightforward way for consumers to compare different vehicles quickly.
- Continuous Improvement in Standards: The criteria for star ratings are regularly updated to reflect advancements in technology and safety standards.
- Regulatory Compliance: Star-rating systems can also influence regulatory frameworks by establishing benchmarks that manufacturers must meet or exceed.
