Explained - Things You Should Know About BS6 Engine Technology

What is BS6 and the impact it makes on the environment, riders, and bike rentals? We’re making a case for why the shared economy is the next big industry for millennials.

Everything you need to know about BS6 and its impact on the environment and why bike rentals are a safe bet to curb pollution to the environment.

1st April is going to be a big day for the automobile industry in India when BS6 comes into effect. Efforts by the Indian government to curb toxic emissions from vehicles has led to the establishment of Bharat Stage Emission Standards since 2000, with the introduction of BS1 two decades ago.

Following standards set by Europe through EURO VI, the country is taking progressive steps to ease pollution stress on the environment, caused by large-scale mobility in Indian cities. You may have read multiple reports stating that India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world. In fact, a startling report by the World Health Organization shows that out of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, Indian cities have been mentioned for all, except for spot 8, which had been given to Cameroon.

Before BS6 comes into effect from 1st April 2020, Royal Brothers is already taking effective steps to adhere to the latest regulations. We’ve had our roots entrenched in the shared economy space since 2015. Additionally, we have now introduced a number of BS6-compliant vehicles to our fleet, including swanky new Royal Enfield BS6 editions.

Here, we’re going to explain what BS6 is and the impact it makes on the environment, riders and bike rentals like Royal Brothers. We’re also making a case for why the shared economy space is going to be the next big industry for millennials.

What is BS6?

In a nutshell, BS6 follows the regulations set by EURO VI, currently being followed in Europe. Starting 1st April, all new vehicles being manufactured and those hitting the road, will need to be BS6 compliant. And all of that starts with the engine, the very heart of a vehicle.

So what is the BS6 engine like?

For 2 wheelers, the carburetor, an intrinsic part of a vehicle, will now be replaced by an electronic fuel injection. As compared to BS4 (the emission norms being followed before BS6), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions will now reduce by 25% for petrol vehicles.

For diesel vehicles, Nitrogen Oxides will reduce by 68%. With regard to 2 wheelers, Nitrogen Oxides releases will need to be under 0.10gm/km.

For this to successfully happen, 2 wheelers plying on roads will have larger catalytic converters as well as electronic fuel injections. With these engineering upgrades, the cost for 2 wheelers will easily go up by 10-15%.

Impact on the environment

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, social media hashtags, and Greta Thunberg, you know that the environment is reaching a breaking point. The planet cannot afford to bear the brunt of toxic human activity taking place at a macro level. So, it is up to us to not only put a stop to further pollution but also come up with ways to undo the damage caused by rampant industrialization.

Global warming has gone beyond being another hashtag and has escalated into a global crisis. A major talking point in politics is now ecological policies. So, in doing our bit for the environment, we are all being responsible caretakers of the planet.

“The new BS6 initiative by the Indian government is appreciable and is surely going to bring down emissions. We are the world’s largest economy and rate as the highest buyers of 2 wheelers. It is necessary to become environmentally conscious and make effective changes accordingly.” - Abhishek Chandrashekar, CEO, Royal Brothers

Motorcycles and the need for mobility - the impact on riders

India is the largest market for 2 wheelers in the world. Currently, there are an estimated 37 million 2-wheelers plying on Indian roads. Over 65% of Indians are currently below the age of 35, the prime Indian demography encompassing the working class in dire need of mobility. While the buyer’s market is ripe, the result of a large 2-wheeler market ultimately takes a toll on the environment. It became a necessity for authorities to take the effects of emissions into account.

With improvements being made on automobile engines, riders will ultimately have to shell out more to purchase new vehicles. Maintenance costs of vehicles may also increase, considering we do not yet know the long-term effects of BS6 augmented vehicular engines.

What steps we’re taking at Royal Brothers?

At Royal Brothers, we want to do our bit for the environment, starting with working alongside the government and supporting its initiatives for a cleaner India. As a business and an entity, it is our responsibility to take care of the planet. So far, we’ve taken a number of steps to introduce riders to an economical way to travel, including

1. Introducing BS6 2 wheelers to the market well before the 1st April deadline
2. Getting on board quality electric 2 wheelers for the RB fleet
3. Introducing e-bicycles for intra-city commutes in a mobility-intensive market like Bangalore
4. Educating customers on BS6 through various media

Take up the initiative with Royal Brothers in supporting the government’s cause for a cleaner planet. In fact, we have added a number of vehicles to the fleet that meets with BS6 norms, as well as e-bikes and e-bicycles for a greener commute.

1. Royal Enfield Classic 350
2. Royal Enfield Himalayan
3. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
4. Activa 6G
5. Svitch e-bikes
6. Ather

These BS6 bikes are currently available to rent from Royal Brothers in large markets, including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Guntur, and Trivandrum. We are looking to expand to more cities in the near future. With the introduction of BS6 and the rise of prices for 2 wheelers, rental prices may increase as well. But we’re doing everything we can to reach an equilibrium that benefits everyone concerned, including our customers and the environment. And as usual, we will not compromise on the quality of vehicles being rented by us.

Shared Economy - The future?

We’ve believed that the shared economy space is the future of mobility since 2015. With changes such as BS6 coming into effect, it makes better sense, more than ever, to come together and share our resources.

The shared economy space is one where people with varying budgetary constraints can have access to amenities that help improve the standard of living.It has been the vision of Royal Brothers to make mobility accessible to every Indian, and a move such as BS6 makes such an economy a sustainable one.

This is the perfect chance for you to do your bit to reduce further polluting the planet. You don’t need to compromise on quality or spend a fortune to make that happen. Mindful steps, such as renting instead of owning, will go a long way in preserving the planet. We’re great at reducing our use of single-use plastic, water conservation, etc. Why not make that move by renting a bike? 🏍