Shifting Gear Car Rules: What to Look for Before Buying a New or Used Car?

Rules for buying a car: Vishwas, 34, who works in a private company in Noida, bought a second-hand diesel car last year. The car was in good condition and fit the budget, but when he reached the DND border to Delhi with his family this November, the traffic police stopped his car. The reason for this was the ban on non-BS6 vehicles coming from other states in Delhi. Faith is not alone. Changing pollution regulations in Delhi-NCR and major cities across the country have left millions of car owners and new buyers confused.

What has changed in Delhi and who will be affected?

Entry of BS4 or old petrol-diesel vehicles registered in other states has been banned in Delhi from November 1 to January 31 every year. This includes vehicles from states like UP, Haryana and Punjab. However, electric (EV), CNG and BS6 standard vehicles are exempted from this ban.

Auto expert Tutu Dhawan says, “This ban should not be linked to pollution alone. As per my understanding, this policy of banning imported BS4 vehicles in Delhi is basically to reduce traffic jams. It has nothing to do with the fact that BS4 vehicles from other states cause more damage to the environment than BS4 vehicles registered in Delhi.”

What is the difference between BS6, BS6 Phase-2, Hybrid and Electric?

1. BS6 (India Stage-6): This is a pollution control standard, which came into effect in April 2020. Under this, the limits of pollutants emitted from the vehicles were reduced as compared to the earlier BS4 models.
2. BS6 Phase-2: This is an upgraded version of BS6, which came into effect from April 2023. This involves monitoring the vehicle’s emissions and related systems through the OBD-2 system.
3. Hybrid: These vehicles have an electric motor and battery along with a petrol engine. Both drive together as needed. In a strong hybrid, the vehicle can run on battery power even at low speeds. No need to charge them separately.
4. Electric (EV): This runs entirely on batteries. It does not have a petrol or diesel engine and there is no tailpipe pollution while the vehicle is running.

Will BS6 vehicles last for the next 8-10 years?

The biggest question on the minds of new petrol or diesel car buyers today is whether their cars will be able to run on the roads for long amid the changing regulations?

Tutu Dhawan says, “It has been around 8-10 years since BS4 was implemented and its norms are still in place. Since we are nearing its upper limit, I predict that BS6 and beyond will remain the norm for the next decade.”

What are the things second hand car buyers should check?

If you are buying a used car to save budget, check its Registration Certificate (RC) before finalizing the deal. Find out whether the vehicle is BS4 or BS6. Buying a BS4 vehicle in cities like Delhi-NCR can be risky due to restrictions.

Apart from this check the remaining valid age of the vehicle. In Delhi-NCR, the age of diesel vehicles has been fixed at 10 years and the age of petrol vehicles at 15 years. Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate should be updated. If you buy a car from another state, also know whether it can be re-registered with your city’s RTO after getting the NOC.

Hybrid or electric, which one to choose?

Considering the traffic, charging infrastructure and resale value in cities, the choice between electric and hybrid is not an easy one either. Auto expert Tutu Dhawan advises, “It’s a strong hybrid vehicle because you don’t depend on the charging infrastructure. Currently the charging infrastructure is not regular, it can’t be fully trusted.”

If your daily driving is high and there is a charging facility at home or office, an electric car can also be an economical option. In case of long distance and lack of charging facility, strong hybrids can be considered. The new BS6 Phase-2 petrol car is also an option for low budget and low mileage buyers. Before buying a diesel car, keep in mind your city’s restrictions and the legal age of the vehicle.