Motor Vehicles & Energy Conservation?

Automotive Sector

 

 It is reported , that Prime Ministers Office (PMO) favored the views of the Ministries of Surface Transport and Heavy Industries, that the Surface Transport Ministry  govern the Auto Fuel efficiency norms, under more specific Motor Vehicle Act , instead of the 'Generic' Energy Conservation  (EC) .Act 2001 under Power Ministry.

 

 As a result the Automotive Sector, which is estimated to consume around 40% of petroleum products in the country, is likely to slip out of the ambit of E.C. Act, leaving the entire Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency ( EEE) segment of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) redundant.

 

Energy Conservation (E.C) Act 2001

 

The E.C Act, 2001 has been placed on the statute book, with avowed object to provide for efficient use of Energy and its Conservation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, after it was assented by the President on 29 th September, 2001.

 

 As per E.C. Act, Energy means any form of energy derived from fossil fuels, nuclear substances or materials, hydro-electricity and includes electrical energy or electricity generated from renewable sources of energy or bio-mass, connected to the grid.

 

 The .Act empowers GOI to enforce efficient use of energy and its conservation. The GOI, by notification, in consultation with the BEE, specify the norms for processes and energy consumption standards for any equipment, appliance which consumes, generates, transmits or supplies energy.

                                               

Aberrations of E.C Act and NAPCC

 

 Even after nearly 9 years, since the provisions of E.C. Act had come into force on 1-3-2002, its applicability to Automotive Industry is being questioned & debated.

 

 The casual reading of E.C Act gives, an impression that it relates to energy efficiency measures in respect of processes, equipment, appliances etc  associated with electrical power  only, which needs to be corrected,

 

 Even the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency of NAPCC , talks of industrial sector only and anticipated a saving of 10,000 MW by 2012, leaving out Automotive sector, and Petroleum products, supporting the above impression.

 

The regulatory standards for enforcing fuel efficiency standards for Automobile Manufacturers is dealt under promotion of Urban Public Transport, as part National Mission of Sustainable Habitat of NAPCC.

 

Suggestions

 

Just as the Financial Resources are regulated, governed and managed by the Finance Ministry of GOI, the Efficient Use of all Energy Resources need to be governed, regulated & managed by a separate Ministry, covering Energy Efficiency, Energy Resource Conservation and Renewable Sources of Energy. The MNRE may be clubbed with the new ministry.

 

The National Missions of NAPCC may be modified, to ensure that all aspects of energy efficiency and conservation in Industrial, Commercial, Domestic, Building, Transport, Aviation etc Sectors, are covered under Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and brought under the New Ministry to be formed.

 

The E.C. Act 2001, may be amended as required, to remove any ambiguity regarding applicability of its provisions, for ensuring efficient use of commercial energy in all forms and its conservation.

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