Increase in the levels of Pollution in Delhi at an alarming rate has caused a ban on the diesel engine vehicles in Delhi. Mercedes Benz India cars also face the same.

Mercedes-Benz India has decided to replace all the diesel engines of its models. The alternative will be the biodiesel engine vehicles. The same has been intimated by the Mercedes-Benz India to the Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari.

The ban of the diesel engine vehicles in Delhi by the Supreme Court has made all the customers of Mercedes-Benz from using them. Delhi diesel ban also prohibited sales of diesel passenger vehicles with engine displacement of over 2,000 cc. Initially, the interim ban was valid up to March 31. But now it has been extended until further hearing.

Mercedes India chief has intimated the Indian Road Transport and Highways Minister in writing that the company wishes to produce 100% biodiesel based engine vehicles.

At present all the Buses, Cars, and other passenger vehicles are being run on Delhi roads were stopped. The assurance from the company to Mr. Gadkari can be seen as a good and positive sign to decrease pollution levels.

Mr. Gadkari has stated that there will be a notification in this regard soon. He also assured that he is already in talks with Petroleum Ministry on the possibilities of the proposal. The aspect of how to make bio-diesel available at petrol pumps is also to be decided.

Diesel causes more air pollution as per the surveys all over the world. Hence, the alternative fuel Biodiesel is thought as the replacement. Biodiesel is the product of the chemical reaction of vegetable oil, soybean oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain with an alcohol producing fatty acid alkyl esters of methyl, ethyl, or propyl.