BSIV vs BSVI Engines: Know the Difference

Posted on: Dec 7, 2022 | | Written by:

BSIV vs BSVI Engines: Know the Difference

Published on December 7, 2022. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

The implementation of Bharat Stage VI, or BS6, is indeed a significant move made by the Indian Ministry of Road Transport & Highway (also known as MoRTH) to cut pollution from all modes of transportation, including two-wheelers. Nevertheless, both the BS4 as well as BS6 emission standards have been created to reduce car emissions and preserve the ecosystem.

Check out this article to learn the distinction between the BS4 standard and the BS6 standard in two-wheelers.

Understanding the BSES

Bharat Stage Emission Standard is abbreviated as BSES. In comparison to the BS4 standard, BSVI or BS6 emission standard is indeed a substantial action implemented by the Indian Government to minimise pollution levels. All cars registered and marketed after April 1, 2020, must be BS6 certified, according to the ministry. The Indian government has implemented emission standards to decrease dangerous gas emissions produced by many types of autos, which include two-wheelers.

This Indian emission standard, named BSES, is founded on European emission regulations. It was initially released in India under the designation BS1. In 2001, this BS1 was updated to BS2 (BSII), and then in 2005, the same was updated to BSIII (BS3). This fourth version, named BS4 (BSIV), was released in 2017. With each new emission standard, the requirements were tighter in comparison to the previous ones.

Here is a list showing the implementation timeline of new emission regulations:

Emission Standard	Introduced in
India 2000	2000
Bharat Stage 2 or BSII	2005
Bharat Stage 3 or BSIII	2010
Bharat Stage 4 or BSIV	2017
Bharat Stage 6 or BSVI	2020

BS4 vs BS6-Compliant Automobile Engine

The Government of India has mandated the BS6 pollution standards from 1st April 2020 in order to create a cleaner ecosystem and tackle rising worries about global warming. As a result, instead of upgrading to BS5 and then subsequently to BS6, the transition from BS4 standards directly to BS6 standards was made. The following are the distinctions between BS4 and BS6 pollution standards:

● When opposed to the BS4 or BSIV emission regulations, BS6 or BSVI is the sixth emission standard or criteria for lowering levels of pollution. Both are maximal emission limits that establish the maximum emissions from a running motor vehicle's exhaust.

● Although BS4 emission standards enable a vehicle to release no more than a limit of 80mg per km of Nitrogen oxide (NO2), BS6 emission standards limit it to 60mg per km.

● This BS6 emission standard limits Particulate Matter or PM to a maximum of 4.5mg per km for vehicles running on petrol.

● The emission limit has been considerably decreased under the BS6 standard. Whereas the BS4 emission standard for Nitrogen oxide or NOx from diesel cars is set to 250mg per km, it is decreased to a maximum of 80mg per km in this new BS6 emission standard. The limit of HC + NOx (Hydrocarbons plus Nitrogen oxide) limit in the BS4 standard has been lowered from 300mg per km to only 170mg per km, whereas the PM threshold has been cut from 25mg per km to only 4.5mg per km.

● This BS6 emission standard applies not just to motorised vehicles but likewise to the fuel that is distributed. Sulphur, as well as nitrogen oxide, are key components of gasoline and diesel. The BS6 fuel contains low levels of sulphur and NOx than BS4. The sulphur level in BSIV fuel is set to 50ppm. However, it is overall five times less in BSVI fuel - 10ppm. The total nitrogen oxide limit has been cut by 25% as well as 70% for petrol and diesel engines, correspondingly.

● Once the BS6 standard went into effect on April 1, 2020, only BS6 fuel started being delivered at the nation's petrol stations from that date forward. BS6 gasoline may be used in BS4 cars.

● Sulphur is required for optimal engine lubrication; nevertheless, the sulphur content of BS6 fuel is comparatively lower than that of BS4 fuel. This is handled by agents that function as lubricants.

● The premium price for an insurance policy for bikewith BS4 and BS6-compliant engines are almost similar. The bike model sets the rate of premium.

To sum everything up, here is a table showing the difference between BS4 and BS6-compliant automobile engines:

Particulars	BS4 Compliant Engine	BS6 Compliant Engine
Content of sulphur	Higher amount of sulphur contents which leads to higher emissions of air pollutants	Significantly lower amount of sulphur content which leads to much cleaner engine
Emission of NOx	80mg per km	60mg or less per km
Concentration of sulphur	Much higher (50ppm)	Much lower (10ppm)
Characteristics of lubricating	Real sulphur is used which emits more air pollutants	Mimic sulphur is used which offers better performance
Real Driving Emission	Cannot be traced	BS6 rigorously enforces Driving Emission Standards.

Comparison on the Basis of Emission Level

Fuel Engine Type	Pollutant	Emission level in BS6 Engine	Emission level in BS4 Engine
Petrol Engine Vehicle	PM or Particulate matter limit	<4.5mg per km	Nil
Diesel Passenger Vehicle	PM or Particulate matter limit	<4.5mg per km	~25mg
Petrol Engine Vehicle	NOx or Nitrogen oxide Limit	~60mg	~80mg
Diesel Passenger Vehicle	NOx or Nitrogen Oxide Limit	~80mg	~250mg
Diesel Passenger Vehicle	HC + NOx or Hydrocarbons plus Nitrogen oxide	170mg per km	~300mg

How Does a BS6 Engine Works?

The SCR or Selective Catalytic Reduction unit uses a catalyst to turn nitrogen oxide or NOx into diatomic nitrogen plus water (both of which are harmless by-products). To minimise NOx emission levels, this SCR unit employs diesel exhaust fluid or AdBlue. The fluid is composed of two components: urea with a deionized form of water. Whenever exhaust gases in connection with this AdBlue fluid, urea is transformed into carbon dioxide and ammonia. After that, the ammonia then transforms NOx to nitrogen plus water vapour, decreasing pollutants.

Presently, distributors sell AdBlue at a high charge; nevertheless, with the fast increase in the number of BS6-compliant diesel engines, this high cost of AdBlue is likely to fall.

Effect of BSVI Emission Standards on Two-wheeler Vehicle Performance

Along with the progress of engine development and technology, BS6 has achieved significant advancements in all areas. This standard requires two-wheeler producers to adopt gasoline injection technologies in order to decrease hazardous emission levels.

Since the BS6-compliant bike engines are less robust and much more fuel-efficient, they have lowered environmental carbon emissions. Finally, this low level of emission has increased a bike's overall performance.

Conclusion:

The Government of India has introduced BS6 to lower pollution levels and conserve our ecosystem by moving to more stringent pollution emission rules. If you are preparing to get a new two-wheeler, be certain that you'll not swap BS6 standards for their contemporaries in order to save some money. You should also get the best two-wheeler insurance coverage to protect your prized two-wheeler from a variety of unanticipated events. While third-party bike insurance is mandatory in India, you should consider getting standalone OD bike insurance or comprehensive bike insurance as well. Compare different insurance providers and choose the best insurance policy for your bike.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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