Mercedes-Benz is thinking on to bring in BS VI emission compliant models as early as 2018 to India, for this, it may partner with oil firms for higher grade oil. Regarding the same matter, the German carmaker has already sought help from various ministries, including Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Mercedes-Benz India Managing Director and CEO, Roland Folger said, “We are already talking to some of the oil and gas companies or it is going to be something which nobody expects us to do”. When asked if the company would work with some of the oil and gas companies to source BS VI grade fuel, he said, “Of course, we work with some of them”.
The major challenge in front of the company is the availability of BS VI fuel across adequate fuel stations across the country. In a bid to curb vehicular pollution, the government has decided to implement stricter emission norms of BS VI from April 1, 2020, by skipping BS-V altogether.
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) are incurring an expenditure of ₹90,000 crore for phase-wise up-gradation of the fuel quality.