Key highlights
- CAFE norms are likely to be eased for small cars
- Cars using engines of 1,000cc or less will benefit
- Maruti Suzuki’s lobbying for the ease of emission laws
In a world of SUVs, Maruti Suzuki remains the biggest manufacturer of affordable hatchbacks in India. However, the brand has been lobbying for easing the CAFE norms for small cars, which the government is likely to do soon.
Also read: Hyundai Creta N Line to get 190 bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine? Spied!
CAFE norms to ease due to Maruti Suzuki?
As per an online report, Maruti Suzuki has been lobbying for reducing/easing the CAFE norms applied on the small cars, i.e. the hatchbacks/models using a 1,000cc engine or less. The main reason behind this request is the declining profit and sales of the small cars in India due to the SUV demand surge.
As Maruti Suzuki remains the only carmaker with the biggest hatchback portfolio, the CAFE norms are making it difficult to keep the cars fuel-efficient. Additionally, the new laws are restricting models like the Alto K10 from achieving high fuel economy figures.
Fuel economy and affordability are the two major factors that are preferred by small car buyers. However, the current CAFE norms are applied to all cars up to 3,500cc, which lets down the fuel efficiency capabilities of the small engine cars.
As the emission norms focus on reducing the carbon dioxide footprint from the tailpipe of a vehicle, the stricter norms are leading to higher costs and reduced efficiency in small cars. The easing of the emission norms is likely to help in the growth of the affordable hatchback segment.
Our verdict
While the tailpipe emission is a serious issue, the new strict emission norms are significantly reducing the carbon footprint from the vehicles. However, small cars require fewer materials and produce fewer emissions than other cars, which is why the emission norms are likely to be changed soon.