BS4 vs. BS6 - What is Difference Between BS4 & BS6 Engine?

Nearly 65 years ago, the two-wheeler bikes were introduced in India. Ever since, these bikes continue to remain a craze among the people, particularly the youth. Zooming through the roads in India with classy bikes is also the dream of an average Indian youth.

The surge in demand for motorcycles witnessed a spectacular rise in the automobile sector in the 1990s. After this, there had never been looking back. It is very evident as the user-friendly motorcycles are now also available on easy two-wheeler loan with easy repayment options. It constitutes nearly 81.5% of the total two-wheeler market in India. The gross domestic product of motorcycles has grown to 8% in India, proving its popularity.

Additional Read: Types of Motorcycle Engines

Understanding BSE
 

Today, making their indelible imprint in the realm of auto two-wheelers, are the Bajaj two-wheelers, especially the BS4 and BS6. They are the ultimate choice for buyers across India. As both are signatures brands, it is now up to the buyers to differentiate between the two to take a final buying choice.

The Government of India has issued regulations known as BSES (Bharat Stage Emission Standards) to control the emission of pollutants by two-wheelers and cars. Under this new norm, manufacturers of all vehicles including two-wheelers have to the manufacturer, sell and register only BS6 (BSVI) vehicles from 1 April 2020.

Before we look at the differences between BS4 vs. BS6, we must understand that the BS norm is defined for the engines and fuel. These are equivalent to the EURO norms which are accepted globally. A significant point of difference between BS4 vs BS6 or the need to shift to BS4 is for cleaner vehicular emissions.

The Government of India Directive On Emission-Related Changes
 

The Government of India has made emission-related changes, including tailpipe emissions, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and ignition control. Let us look at and compare both the BS4 and BS6.

Additional Read: What is CC in Bikes?

Among these changes, the most visible one was the AHO (Automatic Headlamp On), one of the norms under the BS4 aimed at ensuring the safety aspect of the new emission standards. BS4 was introduced in 2017. BS6 is a substantial legal step to reduce pollution compared to BS4.

Differences Between BS4 vs BS6
 

The emission standard of BS6 is much stricter when compared to BS4. The manufacturers of vehicles, including two-wheelers, are mandated to incorporate these changes by updating make of vehicles.

BS6 fuels are much cleaner compared to the BS4 fuel since it contains less sulphur, leading to lower emissions or pollution.

BS6 norms mandate emission of (not more than that) 60mg/km of NOx (nitrogen oxides). It was 80mg/km in the case of BS4 norms.

  • BS6 sulphur content is five times lower (10ppm) as compared to sulphur content in BS4 fuel (50ppm).
  • BS6 contain lower sulphur than BS4 fuel with additives that imitate the lubricating properties of sulphur.
  • In the case of BS6, Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction plays a role. It was not with BS4.
  • Real Driving Emission norm will also be implemented in the case of BS6 to measure a vehicle’s pollutant emission in real-time conditions. It was not the case with BS4.
  • BS6 has Onboard Diagnostic (OD) feature whereas it was not there with BS4.

Another striking feature of BS4 vs BS6 is BS6 compliant engine are required to fill with BS6 fuel and norms would be deemed to have been not adhered to if a BS6 engine uses BS4 engine fuel.

Additional Read: Long Stroke Vs Short Stroke Engines

In the end, buying either of the two bikes is easy, with self-income or two-wheeler loans. Explore bikes that are stylish, help you commute as well as being environmentally-friendly!


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