Trem IV Emission Norms: Meaning and Impact on Tractor Industry
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- All about Emission Norms Meaning
- Emission Standards in India for Tractors
- What does Trem IV Emission Norms Contains?
- From BS-I to BS IV Emission Norms
- Popular Trem IV Tractor Models
- Impact on the Tractor Industry
- Conclusion
Introduction
India is the largest manufacturer of tractor in the world. In 2023, tractor sales hit a record high of 9.55 lakh units. It points to increasing use of tractors in farming. But with this comes the big concern for environment. As per studies, tractors in India consume an average of 7.4 per cent of India’s total diesel consumption. In this process, they are estimated to emit 25 kilo tonnes of particulate matter (PM) and almost 300 kilo tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air.
It is in this context, the Government of India, on 1 October 2022, brought Trem IV emission norms for 50 HP and above tractors. Trem IV emission norms are aligned to BS IV norms. The BS IV full form is Bharat Stage IV emission norms.
In this blog post, we will understand Trem IV emission norms and their impact on the tractor industry.
All about Emission Norms Meaning
Vehicular pollution is the biggest factor causing air pollution in India. In fact, today out of top 20 air polluted cities globally, 14 are from India. Successive Indian governments have made attempts to tackle it. One of those attempts has culminated into the framing of Bharat emission norms in India, also known as Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms. These norms were framed on the recommendation of the Dr R A Mashelkar Committee.
BS emission norms are a set of regulations established by the Indian government to control the emissions of pollutants from internal combustion engines, including those used in tractors. These norms are similar to the European emission standards and are implemented in a phased manner to gradually reduce the levels of harmful pollutants released into the atmosphere.
So far, BS VI norms have been implemented in India for all vehicles except agriculture tractors for which the applicable emission norm is BS IV or Bharat Stage IV emission norms.
Emission Standards in India for Tractors
Tractors are non-road or off-road vehicles and hence the non-road emission standards are applicable. These standards are aligned to the BS emission norms.
For a long time, these norms for agricultural tractors (Trem) and Construction Equipment Vehicles (CEV) were dictated by the same standard as Bharat Stage (CEV/Trem).
With effect from 1 October 2022, the emission norms for agriculture tractors and construction equipment vehicles have been separated. As per the revised mandated norms, all the tractors above 50 HP need to comply with Trem IV Emission norms which is similar to BS-IV emission norms.
What does Trem IV Emission Norms Contains?
Trem IV emission norms are the latest emission norms introduced by the Indian government to regulate the emission of harmful gases from diesel engines. The BS IV launch date in India was April 1, 2021.
- These norms are based on the European Union's Stage IV emission norms and are applicable to all tractors with an engine capacity of 50 hp and above.
- The focus is on reducing carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air.
- They aim to reduce particulate matter (PM) up to 120 micrograms per cubic metre and sulphur content to 50 parts per million (PPM).
- These norms require tractors to have advanced technologies like selective catalytic reduction (SCR), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and diesel particulate filters (DPF) for reducing the emission of harmful gases.
From BS-I to BS IV Emission Norms
In 1999, emission norms for agricultural tractors were introduced with Bharat (Trem) Stage I. It mainly aimed to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The Bharat (Trem) Stage II was adopted in 2003 to focus on limiting carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons & nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (PM).
Bharat (Trem) Stage III came out in 2005 and established limits for CO, HC+NOx and PM. The extended version of this norm was introduced as Bharat (Trem) Stage III A in 2010-2011. This emission standard provided limitations based on the power output of the tractor.
In 2020, emission norms for construction equipment vehicles (CEV) and agricultural machinery (Trem) were separated to avoid confusion. The standards for agricultural tractors and other equipment are now known as Trem Stage norms.
For example, instead of Bharat Stage (CEV/Trem) IV, tractor emission standards are now called Trem Stage IV. After several delays, Trem Stage IV came into effect on 1 October 2022. The Trem full form is Tractor Emission Norms.
Popular Trem IV Tractor Models
John Deere 5310 Gear Pro Trem IV: It is a 3-cylinder engine tractor with a power output of 57 HP.
Farmtrac 6055 Powermaxx CRDI: This 4-cylinder engine tractor generates a power output of 60 HP at the engine rated RPM of 2000.
Sonalika Tiger DI 60 CRDS 4WD: It is a 4-wheel drive tractor that generates a power output of 60 HP at an engine rated RPM of 2000.
New Holland 5620 TX Plus Trem IV: It is a 2-wheel drive tractor that generates a power output of 65 HP at an engine rated RPM of 2300.
Impact on the Tractor Industry
The implementation of BS IV emission norms for tractors will have significant impact on the tractor industry. It will foster research and development for a more environment friendly engines, manufacturing of electric tractors, and CNG tractors, among others. Let us see the impact of Trem IV Emission norms in sections given below:
Research and Development
Trem IV norms have driven significant advancements in engine design and technology. Tractor manufacturers have had to invest heavily in research and development to develop engines that comply with the new norms.
Some of the tractor brands that have come up with tractors compatible with Trem IV emission norms are John Deere, Sonalika Tractors, New Holland and Farmtrac tractors.
Marketing
Tractors with an engine capacity of 50 hp and above are required to comply with the Trem IV norms. The Trem IV norms have also led to a change in the way tractors are marketed.
Tractor manufacturers are now focusing on promoting the advanced technologies used in their engines to comply with the norms. It has led to an increase in awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of diesel engines and the need for more sustainable technologies.
Cleaner & More Efficient Engines
Trem IV norms have resulted in the development of cleaner and more fuel-efficient tractor engines such as Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) engines. The integration of advanced emission control systems helps reduce the emissions of harmful pollutants, leading to better air quality and a lesser carbon footprint.
Cost Considerations
Adhering to Trem IV norms requires significant investments in research, development, and the integration of advanced emission control technologies. It has led to a slight increase in the cost of Trem IV-compliant tractors compared to their predecessors.
However, the long-term benefits, including reduced fuel consumption and compliance with environmental regulations, make them a worthwhile investment.
Environmental Impact
The implementation of Trem IV emission norms in the tractor industry has a positive impact on the environment. By significantly reducing emissions of pollutants like NOx and PM, these norms contribute to cleaner air, healthier ecosystems, and improved overall environmental sustainability.
However, these emission norms may have limited impact on reducing air pollution. It is because more than 78% of tractors sold in India are equipped with engines between 25 HP and 50 HP and these tractors are not covered by BS IV norms.
Conclusion
Non-road category of emission norms in India refers to the regulations established by the government to control the emissions of pollutants from off-road vehicles. These norms are specifically designed for vehicles and machinery used in construction, mining, agriculture, and other non-road applications. The primary objective of non-road emission norms is to reduce the environmental impact of these machines and improve air quality.
Trem IV emission norms represent a significant step towards reducing the environmental impact of tractors and other off-road vehicles. As farmers and manufacturers embrace Trem IV-compliant tractors, we can expect a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the agricultural sector.
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