End-of-Life Vehicles in India-Regulatory Perspectives

This paper discusses the areas affected during and beyond the recycling of the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV). While the scrap of the vehicle shall be crushed and re-utilised from scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), this paper also discusses potential usage of the components for remanufacturing by the respective OEMs. It further discusses how non-metallic parts such as plastics may be recycled. A complete framework committed to such a comprehensive approach shall not only reduce the impact on the environment but will also provide a more affordable and responsible alternative to the industry. While doing that, the economic and environmental impact on the industry and the un-organised sector has to be considered whilst also ensuring that a model with shared responsibility is established to dispose/ recycle any such ELV responsibly. The paper in its true spirit aims at effectively implementing the 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - Reduction of waste and virgin natural elements, Reuse of working and efficient spares for remanufacturing purposes and Recycling of the scrap material. Older vehicles, conforming to lenient emission and safety norms continue to ply on road, continuously producing higher emissions. A successful ELV program will not only cater to the environmental impact, but will also address on-road safety by encouraging outflow of unsafe and polluting vehicles to give way for new and safer vehicles. A need to withdraw such vehicles from the road is there but due to the lack of incentives to the last owner, unavailability of infrastructure or a streamlined policy, the idea, in its entirety never came to fruition. This might be beneficial for the policymakers & OEMs to strategize the implementation of ELV and allied legislations.