QUEST FOR CONTROL OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSION IN INDIAN PASSENGER CARS – AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRESS AND PROGNOSIS

India has witnessed significant growth in the manufacture of automobiles. Growth in vehicle population results in several environmental issues. Regulators have been controlling the emissions by setting standards. Carbon dioxide is one of the key emissions to be controlled and the same is a direct function of the fuel consumed. The objective is to conserve fuel and control global warming. Hence the focus is on fuel efficiency norms. Various steps have been taken by automobile industry towards improving fuel efficiency. This article attempts to ascertain the trend in fuel efficiency of the petrol and diesel vehicles as per the data reported by Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers (SIAM).