Automobile Fuel Efficiency “*”

We are all familiar with the “*” (asterix) that follows all car fuel efficiency claims. The auto companies then hide behind the “*” which states ideal conditions which cannot be replicated on any road when dealing with customer claims of below par performance. This will soon be a thing of the past as the Government of India has started the process to institute “FUEL MILEAGE STANDARDS AND LABELING” for cars,. The norms, to be implemented shortly, will force automobile manufacturers to paste government certified fuel efficiency labels on each car they sell and improve efficiency of the cars they sell every year, 
The sticking of labels will come into effect soon, the standards, however, will be implemented by 2015, giving car manufacturers time to improve the technology. The labels will certify the fuel efficiency of the car model under standard conditions and where it stands in comparison to other cars in the same category.  This means car companies will have time to think of ways to actually improve and not cheat unsuspecting customers using the current “*” method..
The standards will have two parts. After 2015, manufacturers will not be allowed to sell models that fall below the government's 'one star' rating forcing the companies to produce better cars. The way the standards are defined, the companies would have to ensure that they sell enough efficient cars so that they meet the corporate fleet average standard set by the government. For 2015 it is 18.15 km per lt and by 2020 the bar will be raised to 20.79 km per lt.
This average combined with the new norms of declaring the fuel efficiency under normal conditions, and not under ideal conditions will make not only more efficient cars but also auto companies more accountable for performance which is easy to measure.
As one can imagine such standards had been opposed by the auto majors on several grounds - ranging from bad road conditions, congestion to bad fuel quality, which are also the reason given when a vehicle does not meet even 80% of the ARAI tested fuel efficiency declared. They are the words that the “*” implies.
Thankfully from a customer point of view the Government did not bend and soon, Indian cars and technology will be at par with the European market by 2020. Since there are huge penalties and ofcourse litigation it can be expected that auto companies will raise the bar and meet the new standards.
I brought a TOYOTA LIVA, based on the reputation of the Company as it was a new introduction. The advertisements screamed 18.3* kmpl. I was told that post 1000 km the mileage would rise from an abysmally low 10.5kmpl. Nothing happened. Testing by Company engineers on two occasions who literally had to be dragged by a team of wild horses proved that the car mileage was surely nowhere near the satisfaction mark. But surprise surprise, the engineers verdict was the car and engine had no problem. They insist that the “*” after 18.3kmpl means that the ideal conditions cannot be duplicated on the road and therefore any mileage below 18.3 is acceptable.  When it was pointed out that other cars in the same category and same stable give atleast 16kmpl (80% of ARAI standard) as per testimonies on the radio, then if a car gives 11/12 kmpl it is under performing.  This drew a blank and they resorted to “no problem” with car. Well litigation is on the cards and the news of the fuel mileage norms is a ray of hope.
Now imagine that the fuel efficiency and labeling standards were in force, TOYOTA would not be allowed to get away with declaring a higher than achievable rating ie 18.3kmpl. They would have to state the mileage achievable under normal conditions. The moment they do that they will have issues complying with the fleet average of the Company as a whole, ie the 201 5 Company average of 18.15kmpl.
2015, the wait will be worth it for all automobile customers.