SUVs aren’t as eco-friendly as they seem, and while the government can make some rules, it’s up to us to make a difference.
Back in 2014, half of India’s cars drove between 4,800 and 16,000 km each year. Ten years later, the number of cars on the road has grown, but the distance each car drives probably hasn’t changed much. If every car emitted just one gram of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometer, that would mean 5-16 kg of CO2 per car every year. But the reality is that cars don’t just emit one gram per kilometer.
In 2022-23, the government set a rule that carmakers must ensure that all the cars they sold that year averaged CO2 emissions of less than 113 grams per kilometer. Some cars might emit more CO2, but to meet the rule, other cars have to emit less. Still, eight carmakers didn’t meet this target, which is bad news. Rising CO2 emissions contribute to global warming and climate change, which affects our planet. More CO2 also means more fuel is used, which increases the cost of importing fuel.
The government hopes that car fleets will be at least 21 kilometers per liter (km/l) efficient, and fortunately, two of India’s top three carmakers are meeting this target. So why can’t others do the same? It’s not about technology; it’s about physics. Bigger cars, like SUVs, use more fuel because they are heavier and less aerodynamic than smaller cars like hatchbacks or sedans.
Car manufacturers don’t have any personal preference for making SUVs or smaller cars. They simply build what people want to buy. Since bigger, heavier cars can be sold for higher prices, they’re not going to stop making them just because the government threatens penalties. For buyers who want large tires, four-wheel drive, and fancy features like sunroofs, it’s just another cost added to the price of the car.
Before COVID, small cars were very popular in India. But now, if we want to see a change, it’s up to consumers to choose smaller, more fuel-efficient cars again.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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