Indian tyre makers say they can meet the proposed BS-VII tyre abrasion norms, which are due to take effect in April 2031, but they want the government to clarify permissible limits and testing protocols first. The tyre abrasion norms were reported by Business Standard on 15 October 2026.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued draft regulations that would bring tyre abrasion, the particulate emission caused by tyre wear, under the vehicle-emission framework. The permissible abrasion limits and detailed testing requirements have not yet been notified.
What Are the BS-VII Tyre Abrasion Norms?
The draft rules treat particles shed by tyres as an emission source, alongside exhaust emissions. The April 2031 start date applies, but the final limits and the test methodology will decide how much technical change and compliance cost manufacturers face.
How Ready Is the Indian Tyre Industry?
Arnab Banerjee, managing director and CEO of CEAT, said the company is technologically prepared, drawing on its experience in markets that adopted similar rules earlier. He said the main challenge is balancing rolling resistance, which affects fuel use and EV battery range, with wet and dry grip and durability. He does not expect a sudden jump in quarterly capital expenditure, and said the exact standards must be notified before the April 2031 timeline can be assessed.
Daniele Lorenzetti, chief technology officer at Apollo Tyres, said the rules will sharpen the focus on materials, compounds and tyre design. He stressed the need for clarity on testing protocols, performance thresholds and implementation timelines, and noted that abrasion also depends on road surfaces, so manufacturers and regulators must collaborate.
What Does This Mean for India’s Tyre Sector?
The industry has an estimated annual turnover of about ₹1 trillion. The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) reports 28 manufacturers operating 62 plants. Tyre exports rose 9% in FY26 to a record ₹27,312 crore, and exports account for roughly 25% of turnover, according to Anurag Singh of Primus Partners. Manufacturers have invested about ₹30,000 crore in greenfield and brownfield projects over the past four to five years.
Singh said Indian consumers have historically preferred longer-lasting, low-abrasion tyres over high-grip ones, which gives local manufacturers a slight advantage. He added that tighter rules will raise costs but also deliver environmental benefits.
Market Reaction and Industry Response
The Business Standard report did not mention any share-price reaction. Industry response so far has come from individual companies rather than a joint statement from a trade body. Input costs add pressure: JK Tyre says raw materials make up more than 60% of tyre costs, and crude oil-linked inflation and currency depreciation are adding to the burden. Banerjee expects raw material costs to rise another 2.5–3% in the third quarter. JK Tyre’s domestic passenger car-radial tyre mix improved to 30% in FY26, supported by larger rim sizes and differentiated products, and Apollo Tyres is expanding its premium passenger car range through its Vredestein brand.
What Happens Next?
The next step is for MoRTH to notify the permissible abrasion limits and the test protocols. Manufacturers say they cannot judge the April 2031 deadline until those standards are final. Watch for the notified limits, the testing method, and any commentary from ATMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the BS-VII tyre abrasion norms take effect?
The proposed norms are due to take effect in April 2031. MoRTH has issued only draft regulations, and the limits and testing rules are yet to be notified.
What is tyre abrasion?
Tyre abrasion is the wearing away of tyre material as a vehicle runs, which releases particulate emissions. The draft regulations would regulate it under the vehicle-emission framework.
Are Indian tyre makers ready for the new norms?
Industry leaders say they are confident of meeting the norms. CEAT and Apollo Tyres both say they need clarity on testing protocols and permissible limits before they can plan fully.
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