The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified dual-fuel usage for agricultural and construction equipment vehicles. These include construction equipment vehicles, tractors, power tillers and combine harvesters which have originally been manufactured as dual-fuel with diesel as primary fuel and CNG, bio-CNG as secondary, or have been converted as such from in-use diesel vehicles, according to a ministry statement.

The notification was issued following amendments of rules 115A and 115 B of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to incorporate new rules 115 AA and 115 BB for the purpose. The Ministry said this move will give a boost to vehicles run on bio-fuel, and help in reducing both cost and pollution.

The mass emission standards for these CNG, bio-CNG, and LNG dual-fuel engines of the agriculture tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles and combine harvesters will be the same as the emission standards for the diesel engines of these vehicles with the exception that the HC (hydrocarbon) shall be replaced by NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon) on measurement basis as detailed in rule 115 A, according to the statement.

The tests for particulate matter and emission of visible pollutants (smoke) stipulated in the rule 115A will continue to be applicable for dual fuel CNG or bio-CNG or LNG engine or vehicle. The type approval certificate of CNG or bio-CNG or LNG dual fuel kit for retrofitment will be valid for three years from the date of issue and will be renewable for three years at a time. The original equipment manufacturer or retrofitter will be responsible for meeting the safety requirements and code of practice for vehicle or engine and its kit components, according to the Ministry statement.