In a major change in technological upgradation towards responding environmental needs, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) is all set to produce eco-friendly ‘End of Life Vehicle’ (ELV) by 2010. ELV is a norm set by the European Union (EU). It specifies recycling norms for all on-road vehicles that can attain speeds greater than 25 kph. The norm does not include off-road cars, mining machines, vintage cars, railcars, and farming equipments under its jurisdiction.

The new norm, once implemented, will help MSIL to reduce its fuel consumption by almost 10-15%, allowing its customers a great relief in the days of daily fuel-price hike! ELV also requires non-utilization of all harmful raw materials like lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and cadmium, etc. while manufacturing car components. MSIL will replace all these hazardous elements from their production floors with more environmental friendly materials; though, lead will continuously be used for batteries.

ELV is a standard that is stringently followd in EU since July 1, 2003, ensuring better eco-disposal of their vehicles. Maruti Suzuki India will be able to switch over to ELV compatible green car-fleet not before 2010, said a media report. The company has already started implementing the norm by instructing all its bigger vendors to upgrade their technologies to accommodate EU’s ‘End of Life Vehicle’ recycling norms.

As per the ELV norms in use, each homogeneous material for car manufacturing is allowed to support maximum concentration of 0.1 wt. per cent of lead and mercury and 0.01 wt. per cent of cadmium. Though, India has yet not officially implanted the ELV norms, but MSIL’s refurbishing has become need of the day to stay fit in the global competition, said a market analyst. Easy disposal, dismantling, and recyclability are the few most important characteristics of the ELV specifications.

Maruti Suzuki India has a plan to use an innovative metal plating method for manufacturing all its future cars. The new process will replace the age-old traditional intra-valent chrome with the modern eco-friendly extra-valent chrome. MSIL’s upcoming cars A-star hatchback, Splash, and D-segment’ Kizashi are expected to meet ELV norms partially.