Real Driving Emission (RDE) Norms: All You Need To Know

Real Driving Emissions (RDE) norms are a part of India’s updated vehicular emission norms. As the name suggests, RDE tests measure emissions from vehicles in actual on-road conditions rather than controlled laboratory setups. The RDE test methodology ensures that vehicles comply with emission standards beyond lab tests.

The Indian government made major progress in vehicle pollution control with the implementation of RDE norms under BS6 Phase II, which started on April 1, 2023. The new testing measures align India’s standards more closely with European regulations, reducing discrepancies between laboratory tests and on-road emissions.

The RDE norms have introduced several critical upgrades to the existing framework for emission norms. Here are some highlights:

On-Road Emission Testing: Emissions are now tested during real-world driving, covering urban, highway, and rural routes.

Diverse Driving Conditions for Testing: Vehicles undergo testing in different temperatures, altitudes, and traffic conditions to simulate realistic usage.

Stricter Compliance: Limits on pollutants like Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM), and Carbon Monoxide (CO) have been revised for better environmental control.

These changes ensure that real-time emissions monitoring is more accurate and reliable.

Read more: BS6 Phase 2 Cars In India 2025

The RDE test process is comprehensive and uses advanced technology. Here’s how it works:

• Vehicles are equipped with a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS), which records emissions while the vehicle is driven.

• Tests are conducted on actual roads, covering diverse terrains, including urban roads, highways, and hilly regions.

• Driving behaviors such as acceleration, idling, and sudden braking are considered to reflect real-world conditions.

• The test runs for approximately 90 to 120 minutes, ensuring diverse speed variations.

• Pollutants such as CO, CO2, NOx, and PM are measured, and results must stay within specified limits to meet compliance.

• There's meaning lies in this rigorous testing approach, designed to accurately reflect real-life pollution levels.

The cost of vehicle system upgrades for RDE norms falls on manufacturers, but consumers may experience indirect impacts. Diesel vehicles, in particular, require additional emission control components such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), leading to higher costs. For instance, a consumer planning to buy a diesel vehicle may find that the price of a car like the Hyundai Creta has increased due to the added costs of these new emission control systems. Some automakers have even discontinued smaller diesel models because meeting these new standards is difficult and costly.

Consumers may also notice increased maintenance costs due to the complexity of emission control systems, as these components require regular servicing. For example, a car owner with a diesel vehicle might face higher costs for maintaining the DPF system, which needs cleaning or replacing after a certain period. Additionally, fuel efficiency could be slightly impacted in some cases, such as when a vehicle that once offered great mileage now experiences a slight decrease due to the added emission systems.

Laboratory-based emission tests do not always reflect real-world driving patterns, such as frequent acceleration, varying traffic conditions, or terrain changes. Manufacturers must now ensure that their vehicles meet emission norms beyond controlled conditions, improving transparency and environmental accountability.

RDE Norms and Car Insurance

While emission control and vehicle insurance seem unrelated, RDE norms influence the automobile industry in ways that indirectly affect insurance.

Impact on Car Insurance Premiums: Vehicles compliant with RDE norms may have advanced onboard diagnostics, which could result in safer and more efficient performance. Some insurance providers might offer lower premiums for compliant vehicles.

How RDE Compliance Can Affect Coverage: Vehicles meeting RDE standards are likely to stay compliant with future regulations, potentially making them a more reliable long-term investment.

Read more: Difference between BSIV & BSVI Engine: BS4, BS6 Performance

To sum up, RDE norms play a big role in improving India’s emission standards. They check real-world emissions and set stricter rules to keep pollution under control. While this increases costs for car makers and buyers, it helps create a cleaner and healthier environment. Tata AIG offers insurance plans to protect RDE-compliant vehicles, ensuring better safety and coverage for owners.

What are the Real Driving Emissions norms?

Real Driving Emissions (RDE) norms provide regulatory standards through which manufacturers evaluate vehicle emissions during normal road operation instead of relying on laboratory measurements. The norms establish compliance requirements which define the acceptable levels of CO2, NOx and PM emissions for vehicles during actual driving maneuvers. This approach provides better accuracy for environmental regulation checks.

What is the RDE exhaust emissions standard?

The RDE exhaust emissions standard controls the legal amounts of CO, NOx and PM that vehicles can discharge when operated in natural traffic conditions. The standards apply through Portable Emissions Measurement Systems, which monitor emissions performance in uncontrolled environments.

Why did car prices increase due to RDE norms?

Manufacturers needed to add high-end technology, including Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems, along with advanced Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) and upgraded catalytic converters to increase car prices. The needed technological additions for RDE compliance led to manufacturing expenses that owners had to bear because of higher prices for their vehicles.

What is the RDE2 standard for Real Driving Emissions 2?

RDE2 represents the advanced stage of Real Driving Emissions regulations with tightened pollutant restrictions and better detection methods for emissions control. The updated testing procedures reduce regulatory parameters to practice tighter NOx emission controls under all driving situations, including challenging measurements.

What is the RDE engine in India?

Indian manufacturers build RDE engines for BS6 Phase II specification through designs which reduce emissions throughout normal driving operations. The RDE system incorporates an SCR system and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) along with real-time OBD sensors for its operation. The technology updates maintain the performance characteristics of eco-friendliness and efficiency and RDE-compliance for engines operating on Indian roads.