Vehicle Pollution and India’s Journey Toward Cleaner Air and Sustainable Transportation

 India, the world’s second most populous country, is experiencing rapid economic growth. But with growth has come a steep rise in vehicles on the road. Over the past decade alone, the number of vehicles increased by more than 240%, and experts predict the figure could double again in the next 20 years. While this expansion fuels mobility and commerce, it also brings a serious vehicle-related air pollution challenge.

The Rise of Vehicle Pollution in India

Vehicle emissions have become one of the biggest contributors to poor air quality, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The impact on public health is stark. A Lancet study found that in 2019, pollution contributed to nearly 1.7 million premature deaths in India. With mounting public pressure through litigation and protests, the government had no choice but to act.

Over the years, India has rolled out multiple laws, emission standards, and green policies to curb vehicular pollution. Some of these measures align with global climate goals, while others are unique to India’s local realities.

Early Environmental Laws

One of the first major steps came with the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act in 1981. It empowered authorities to regulate air quality and set up Pollution Control Boards across states. This was followed by the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, which gave the government sweeping powers to enforce environmental standards after India participated in the UN Conference on Human Environment.

These acts laid the foundation for vehicle emission controls and sustainability-focused transport policies.

Evolution of Vehicle Emission Standards

To directly address vehicle pollution, India introduced a series of emission standards known as Bharat Stage (BS) norms. These were modeled after European standards and rolled out in phases:

• Bharat Stage I (2000): The first step, similar to Euro 1, focused on basic limits for carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
• Bharat Stage II (2001–2010): Introduced multi-point fuel injection technology, reducing CO and NOx levels significantly.
• Bharat Stage III (2005–2010): Nationwide adoption of tighter limits with restrictions on sulfur content in fuels.
• Bharat Stage IV (2017): Implemented across the country, requiring advanced catalytic converters and lower sulfur fuels.
• Bharat Stage VI (2020): India skipped Stage V entirely to leapfrog to BS-VI, which cut nitrogen oxides from petrol cars by 25% and particulate matter from diesel vehicles by over 80%.

These progressive norms pushed automakers to adopt cleaner technologies and reduced urban smog levels, though enforcement remains a challenge in smaller towns.

Beyond Standards – Policy Interventions

Recognizing that emission standards alone would not be enough, the government introduced several complementary initiatives.

• FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles): Launched in 2015, it provides financial incentives to encourage the adoption of EVs. The second phase, launched in 2019, aims to support 7,000 e-buses, 55,000 e-cars, and over a million two- and three-wheelers.
• Vehicle Scrappage Policy (2021): Mandates retirement of commercial vehicles older than 15 years and passenger vehicles over 20 years if they fail fitness and emission tests. This policy seeks to replace highly polluting vehicles with modern, cleaner ones.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): To diversify fuel sources, India began importing LNG, which emits 30% less CO₂ than fuel oil and significantly fewer particulates. Today, LNG supplies more than half of India’s total gas demand.
• Green Cess (Green Tax): Imposed on older vehicles with high emissions, this tax discourages their continued use and pushes consumers toward newer, cleaner alternatives.

The Impact of These Measures

India’s mix of legislation, technology upgrades, and financial incentives has helped lower emissions per vehicle. For example, under BS-VI norms, diesel vehicles saw an 82% reduction in particulate matter emissions. EV adoption is also rising, with two-wheelers and public buses leading the shift in cities like Delhi and Bangalore.

From a business perspective, these policies have created a new market for sustainable mobility solutions. Startups working in EV infrastructure, battery recycling, and fleet electrification are gaining traction. Large automakers are also re-aligning their strategies to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer demand for cleaner vehicles.

The Roadblocks Ahead

While progress is real, challenges remain. Enforcement outside major cities is often weak. Infrastructure for EVs is still limited, with charging networks in their early stages. LNG, while cleaner than coal and oil, is still a fossil fuel and not a long-term solution.

Critics also argue that the scrappage policy may burden low-income households who cannot afford to replace old vehicles without significant financial support. Without equity-focused measures, cleaner mobility risks becoming accessible only to wealthier groups.

Toward Sustainable Urban Mobility

India’s efforts show that a developing economy can balance growth with environmental responsibility. Reducing vehicular pollution isn’t just about cleaner air—it’s also about meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11 on sustainable cities and SDG 13 on climate action) and aligning with ESG objectives that global investors now demand.

For India, the way forward lies in scaling EV adoption, strengthening public transport, and creating financial models that make clean mobility accessible to everyone. If these steps are taken, the country has the potential to transform its transportation system into one that supports both economic growth and environmental health.