The Government has notified dual-fuel usage for agriculture and construction equipment vechicles in a bid to promote the use of alternative fuels like CNG in tractors, tillers and harvesters. This notification has been made by the Ministry Road Transport & Highways.
The Ministry in a statement said, “These vehicles will include tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles and combine harvesters which have originally been manufactured as dual-fuel with diesel as primary fuel and CNG, Bio CNG as secondary or have been converted from in-use diesel vehicles.”
Emission norms for smoke and vapor from these dual-fuel vehicles will be the same as prevailing mass emission norms for the diesel model. However, there will be the exception that the HC (Hydrocarbon) shall be replaced by NMHC (Non-Methane Hydrocarbon) on measurement basis as detailed in rule 115 A.
The notification was issued following amendments of rules 115 A and 115 B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules,1989, to incorporate new rules 115 AA and 115 BB for the purpose. The tests for particulate matter and emission of visible pollutants (smoke) stipulated in the rule 115A will continue to be applicable for dual fuel CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG engine or vehicle.
The statement added, "The type approval certificate of CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG dual fuel kit for retro fitment will be valid for three years from the date of issue and will be renewable for three years at a time. Also, the Original Equipment manufacturer or retrofitter will be responsible for meeting the safety requirements and code of practice for vehicle or engine and its kit components."
The government said the notification to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to this effect was issued after due consideration of objections and suggestions received from the public in this regard.
This move will give a boost to vehicles run on bio-fuel, and help in reducing both cost and pollution.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in May this year had invited objections and suggestions from those likely to be affected from the amendment.
