If you’re eyeing a new car this year, you’ll soon have to reckon with a fresh set of emission rules that’ll hit the market in 2029.
The new BS‑VII norms keep the same CO and NOx caps as BS‑VI but demand particulate tests down to 10 nm and a stricter 4.5 mg/km limit, all measured on real‑world drives.
Petrol, diesel and CNG models won’t see a fuel‑quality tweak, but automakers will still have to install new sensors and software, translating into a price bump that manufacturers have flagged as a concern.
Electric vehicles get the first‑ever battery‑durability clause: a 75 % capacity retention after five years or 100,000 km, and brake‑dust limits that kick in from 2031 (3 mg/km for EVs, 7 mg/km for hybrids, a common 3 mg/km in 2035).
The rollout is staggered—small commercial cars get the rules in 2030, tyre‑abrasion limits come later, and the 2035 brake‑dust rule applies to all vehicles.
So, if you’re planning to buy a new car before 2029, you’re fine. For the post‑2029 window, keep an eye on how manufacturers tweak pricing and battery tech; first models should hit the road in early 2029, with city rollout likely in metros before smaller towns.