SC grants extension on sale/registration deadline for BS4 vehicles
The Supreme Court of India has given an extension on the last date to sell and register outgoing BS4 vehicles. Previously, the deadline was March 31, but due to the 21-day, nation-wide lockdown enforced by the government of India, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) filed a plea seeking an extension on it. Here are more details.
FADA's appeal initially declined, then heard
In February, FADA had requested at least a month-long extension on the deadline for the sale/registration of BS4 vehicles, but SC had rejected that plea. Then, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, FADA approached the SC again for an extension, noting that thousands of cars and lakhs of two-wheelers are in inventory due to reduced footfall at dealerships. This time, SC heard the case.
Extension given for 10 days after lockdown ends
On March 27, in a video conference hearing, FADA lawyers presented the case to Supreme Court Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Deepak Gupta. They highlighted the inventory problem, which had worsened due to the lockdown and cannot be cleared until it is lifted. In response, considering the 'special circumstances' at hand, the court gave an extension of 10 days, post the ongoing lockdown.
So, dealerships can sell BS4 vehicles for few more days
The ruling means once the lockdown is lifted on April 14, dealerships would have a 10-day window (till April 24) to clear out their inventory of unsold cars, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles. However, it's worth noting that the apex court has said that dealerships would only be allowed to sell 10% of the unsold stock and the extension won't apply to showrooms in Delhi-NCR.
Also, buyers would have to register in 10 days
In addition to this, the court has also given a 10-day registration window to BS4 buyers. The window would open from the day of sale, which means if you buy a BS4-compliant car on say April 18, it would have to be registered on/before April 28. Existing customers, who are held by the lockdown, will also be able to register after the lockdown ends.
FADA wanted extension till May but SC said 'no point'
Notably, FADA wanted to get the sale deadline for BS4 vehicles extended till May 31, but the court emphasized that there is no point in extending for such a long time and burdening the environment. All new vehicles to be manufactured from April 2020, presumably after the lockdown lifts, will have to comply with the more stringent BS6 emission regulations.
What would change with BS6 vehicles?
Under the new regulations, the aim is that the vehicles become more environment-friendly. BS6 petrol vehicles, for instance, would be 25% cleaner with reduced nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, while diesel vehicles would reduce the emissions of Hydrocarbons + NOx, particulate matter, and NOx by 68%.
