Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE) on Friday released the Green Vehicle Rating (GVR), a vehicle rating system based on environmental performance.
GVR aims to reshape consumer knowledge on vehicles and help buyers calculate their impact on the community’s health and environment. With the launch of the industry-first tool, AEEE has set out to move the ever-growing two and three-wheeler rider base towards greener options in the country.
GVR also intends to help buyers identify high-performing vehicles, make informed decisions with a web-based rating system for vehicles, and work towards increasing the demand for greener variants.
Funded by Shakti Foundation and supported by American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the tool uses ‘Form 22’ or the ‘Road Worthiness Certificate’ mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2017 to calculate the environmental performance of the vehicle.
Based on the data available in Form 22, GVR takes a composite approach to pollutant emissions data and fuel efficiency data as reported by the auto dealers and online auto marketplaces.
Dr Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director, AEEE, said, “Green Vehicle Rating (GVR) takes the self-reported emissions data in Form 22 and makes it easier to understand the true impact of a vehicle on the road without getting lost in numbers. With GVR, we aim to propel towards creating a culture of energy efficiency in India by shifting this ever-growing consumer base towards cleaner modes of transportation.”
The GVR website allows users to compare different vehicles, assess the real cost of ownership, damage cost, emissions levels, and commonly sought specifications like mileage, cost, engine capacity, etc. To help consumers assimilate the impact, these costs are represented in INR per km terms.
“Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation is pleased to support the development of the Green Vehicle Rating, which provides consumers with straightforward and reliable information on energy and environmental costs as well as economic benefits,” said Anshu Bhardwaj, CEO, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation.
As the nation moves towards reducing carbon footprint, clean mobility can help India meet its Paris Agreement commitment of reducing carbon emission intensity (emission per unit of GDP) by 33% to 35% of 2005 level over 15 years. While 67% of Indians own two-wheelers, the vehicle accounts for 61% of petrol sales in the country.
In line with this, the Indian government can use the tool to grow the share of efficient and less polluting vehicles while moving forward on its commitment to clean mobility and the adoption of electric vehicles.