Abstract:

This paper examines the fuel consumption of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) sold in India in fiscal year (FY) 2018–19. These vehicles are the N1 segment in India, and passenger vehicles are the M1 category. Mini trucks and pickup trucks are classified as light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in India, where they are used as “last-mile” connectivity to move goods to their final destination. While India’s passenger cars are subject to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards, and such standards have proven effective in driving down test-cycle emission levels of new vehicles, no CO2 standards have yet been applied to LCVs. To help regulators develop an effective CO2 standard, this paper establishes a baseline of fuel consumption for new LCVs sold in India in FY 2018–19. Results show that the fleet average CO2 emissions level for LCVs in India was 143.1 grams (g) per kilometer (km) in FY 2018–19. If India’s existing passenger car fuel efficiency standards were adapted for LCVs, the fleet average CO2 target for FY 2018–19 would be 141.6 g/km, or about 1% less. Additionally, while the fleet average CO2 emissions of India’s LCVs is 9.4% lower than the European Union’s LCV fleet, India’s fleet is lighter and thus has to meet a stricter CO2 target. Based on fleet average weight, Indian LCVs would have to further improve by 12% to meet the EU targets for 2019. Mandatory CO2 emission standards, if implemented, would stimulate the inclusion of additional fuel efficiency technologies such as idle start-stop, low-resistance tires, and low viscosity engine oils.