Difference Between BS4 (BSIV) and BS6 (BSVI):

Both BSIV and BSVI are emission norms that set the
maximum permissible levels for pollutants emitting from a car
or a two-wheeler exhaust. Compared to the BS4, BS6
emission standards are stricter. While manufacturers use this
change to update their vehicles with new features and safety
standards, the biggest or the significant change comes in the
form of stricter permissible emission norms.
The below table offers an insight into the change in the
permissible emission levels of BS6 vehicles compared to BS4
vehicles:
Fuel Type Pollutant BS6 (BSVI) BS4 (BSIV)
Gases
Petrol Nitrogen <60mg> <80mg>
Passenger Oxide (NOx)
Vehicle Limit
Petrol Particulate <4.5mg/km -
Passenger Matter (PM)
Vehicle Limit
Diesel Nitrogen <80mg> <250mg>
Passenger Oxide (NOx)
Vehicle Limit
Diesel Particulate <4.5mg/km <25mg>
Passenger Matter (PM)
Vehicle Limit
Diesel HC + NOx 170mg/km <300mg>
Passenger
Vehicle
 Pollution Emission Norms (BS4 Vs. BS6):
For a cleaner environment and to address the growing concerns
about global warming, the Indian government has fast-forwarded the
BS6 pollution norms to 1 April 2020. Hence, the jump from BS4 to
BS6 instead of moving to BS5 and then to BS6. Below are the
differences between pollution norms between BSIV and BSVI:
 BSVI or BS6 is the sixth emission benchmark or criterion in reducing
pollution levels when compared to the BSIV or BS4 emission norms.
Both are the maximum emission norms which set the maximum
pollution from the exhaust of the motor vehicle.
 While the BS4 emission norms allow a motor vehicle to emit not
more than 80mg/km of NO2 (nitrogen oxides), the BS6 emission
norms have reduced it to 60mg/km. The Particulate Matter (PM) for
petrol vehicles has been restricted to 4.5mg/km in the BS6 emission
regime.
 Under the BS6 norm, the limit of pollution has been drastically
reduced. While the norm for NOx from diesel vehicles in BS4 is at
250mg/km, it is reduced to 80mg/km in BS6 emission norms. The
HC+NOx has been reduced from 300mg/km in the BS4 to 170mg/km,
while the PM level has been decreased from 25mg/km to 4.5mg/km.
 The BS6 emission norm is not only for motor vehicles but also for the
fuel being dispensed. Sulphur and nitrogen oxide plays an important
role in petrol and diesel. Compared to the BS4, the BS6 fuel has less
sulphur and NOx. While the content of sulphur in BS4 fuel is 50ppm,
it is five times lower in the BS6 fuel, which is at 10ppm. As for the
nitrogen oxide, the permitted level has been reduced by 70% and
25% for diesel and petrol engines, respectively.
 From 1 April 2020, when the BS6 norm kicks in, BS6 fuel will also be
dispensed across the country’s petrol pumps from the same date
onwards. You can use BS6 fuel in BS4 vehicles.
 For proper lubrication inside the engine, sulphur plays an important
role; however, for the BS6 fuel, the sulphur is lower compared to the
BS4 fuel. This is addressed with additives which act as lubricating
agents.
 With the BSVI norms, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF) were included to assess the emission levels of
the BS6 motor vehicle; however, this was not part of the emission
norms set on BS4.
 Real Driving Emission (RDE) has been introduced in the BS6 norms to
make sure the emission from the motor vehicle is measured on a
real-time basis. This was not part of the BS4 norms.
 Another addition to the BS6 norms is the Onboard Diagnostic (OD)
which is not mandated in the BS4 norms.
 A BS6 vehicle using BS4 fuel will not adhere to the required emission
norms due to higher levels. Hence, a BS6 vehicle has to use only BS6
fuel to achieve the desired emission levels.

Impact of BS6 on CNG Cars:

Vehicle manufacturers will have to make minor changes or
modifications to their diesel and petrol engines for the usage of CNG
on BS6 vehicles. It’s only a matter of time before manufacturers start
offering CNG compliant BS6 engines in the country. CNG powered
BS6 cars or vehicles could be a stop-gap arrangement before the era
of electric and hybrid vehicles are sold in the country.

How Do BS6 (BSVI) Diesel Engines Work?

The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) unit converts nitrogen oxide
(NOx) into diatomic nitrogen and water (both are harmless products)
with the help of a catalyst. The SCR unit uses AdBlue or diesel
exhaust fluid to reduce NOx emissions. This fluid is made up of two
parts – urea and deionized water. When exhaust gases come in
contact with the AdBlue fluid, urea is converted to ammonia and
carbon dioxide and in turn, the ammonia converts NOx into nitrogen
and water vapour, thereby reducing pollutants.
The AdBlue will be filled in a 10-litre capacity tank in smaller
passenger vehicles. Currently, AdBlue is being sold by distributors at
a premium rate; however, with the rapid increase in sales of BS6
diesel engines, the cost of AdBlue is expected to decline .
 Health and Environmental Effects of Air Pollution Generated by
Vehicles in India:
The pollution emitted from vehicles in India is measured by
government agencies. They use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to gauge
the level of pollution in a city. The AQI uses the below criteria to
measure emission:
 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
 Nitrogen Oxide (NO2)
 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Particulate Matter (PM)
 Ozone (OZ)

When the pollution levels are higher, it affects the health and some
of the effects are:
 Respiratory and heart ailments
 Cancer
 Throat and lung infections, asthma
 Lowered alertness
 Lethargy
 Itchy eyes
 Anaemia
 Kidney ailments

The effects of higher pollution levels on the environment are:

 Global warming
 Contamination of air, soil and water
 Acid rain and smog
 Exhaustion of fossil fuel, the source for petrol and diesel.