BS-IV norms applicable from April 1

, all new vehicles in the country will have to comply with the stringent Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) norms. The norms ensure that BS IV vehicles have advanced emission control technologies and use clean fuel so that they emit 80 per cent less particulate matter and 30 per cent less nitrogen oxides compared to BS III vehicles. The norms have been in place in 13 cities since 2010, and were expanded to 50 others in 2015. But implementing them across India had been a problem due to non-availability of BS IV fuel, which contains 86 per cent less sulphur. By 2020, the country will leapfrog to BS VI standards.