Indian cars will soon have a "star" rating on their fuel efficiency

Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, June 19: Indian cars will soon have a "star" rating on their fuel efficiency so that those intending to buy a four-wheeler will have the option of the selecting the best one in the market.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the Union Ministry of Power has decided in principle to star rate the automobile brands based on their fuel efficiency and performance on road. To begin with, the star rating system will be implemented for cars. A vehicle rated "5 star" is the best in the market. The lower the number of stars the less the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Presently star rating is implemented for air conditioners and refrigerators on a pilot basis. Given the tremendous response the star rating system has generated from consumers, the BEE has decided to go in for more products from January 1 next year. They include fans, distribution transformers and tubelights.

"Air conditioners, fridges, fans, tubelights and distribution transformers will invariably have to get star rating from January 1, 2010. These products without star rating will be banned for sale in the country.
Ultimately we will bring 21 products including cell phone chargers, washing machines, computers and geysers," said Sandeep Garg, energy economist from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, New Delhi.

The Central government plans to save about 10,000 mw of power by going in for star rating for electric and electronic consumer products. Star rating for card will help save consumption of fossil fuels.

Referring to high transmission and distribution losses in the country, Sandeep Garg said the Chief Ministers' meeting in New Delhi on January 23 would discuss the issue, including the need for star rated distributing transformers. Already five States including neighbouring Karnataka have made star rated transformers
mandatory for their power distribution companies and electricity boards.