Maruti Suzuki to meet EU recycling norms by 2010

13 November 2008

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) aims to ensure that all its cars will be able to meet the stringent European Union's End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recycling norms by 2010.

The ELV norms mainly cover disposal of vehicles and their components in the European Union. They cover mainly four heavy metals whose use has been severely curtailed on all vehicles sold in the EU since July 1, 2003. These are; lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium. The norms prescribe maximum concentration values of 0.1 wt. per cent for lead, and mercury, and 0.01 wt. percentage for cadmium for each homogeneous material in a vehicle.

ELV applies to any on-road vehicle or equipment (including trailers) that is capable of attaining a speed of more than 25 kph. Off-road vehicles, railcars, mining and agricultural equipment, and vintage cars are however excluded.

ELV aims at making vehicle dismantling and recycling more environmentally friendly, sets clear quantified targets for reuse, recycling and recovery of vehicles and their components and pushes producers to manufacture new vehicles keeping their recyclability in mind.The first car in Maruti Suzuki's fold that will meet ELV standards is the soon to be launched A-star hatchback which would be 85 per cent recyclable. Maruti Splash would become the second model to meet the standards when it goes on sale in India next year.

The company is also working on a sedan model named Kizashi which would be launched next year. This model would also meet the new standards.

Apart from replacing hazardous raw materials lead, mercury, cadmium and chrome in the cars with more eco-friendly substances the company is also using new technology that will reduce fuel consumption by 10-15 per cent in these cars.