A Study on Breakdown Problems of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) Euro 6-Vehicles (Tata motors, Toyota, Hyundai, Mahindra, Eicher, Kia and Ashok Leyland) in BHUTAN

HaldiaInstit u Int.J.HIT.T R     *Correspond i   ORIGINA A Stu d Vehic l Ashok Tsherin g Program A n of Bhutan T Email Id: t s ABSTRA C This study Bhutan, fo c Ashok Le y inefficienc i quality co n expert int e infrastruct u models ar e adaptation s Euro 6 ve h KEY WO R 1. INT R The Cou n necessary them th r companie s Limited ( Limited Corporati o changes i n affect Bh u The Dep a Ministry Employ m consisten t products relations memoran d u teofTechnology R ANSC:ECCN. V i ngAddress: tshe r L CONTRIB U d y on Br e l es (Tata Leyland ) g n alysts, Organiz a T himphu, Bhuta n s hering@moice. g C T investigates t h c using on lead y land. The re s i es in these a d n ditions. Usin g e rviews—the u re, and engi n e analyzed to s , improved a f h icles in Bhuta n R DS: R ODUCTI O n try, Bhutan petroleum p r ough thre e s such as IOCL), Bha r (BPCL) an o n Limited n India's petr o u tan. a rtment of of Indu m ent (MoIC E t supply o f by maint a with the k e d um of unde r Publishing V ol.12:Issue1 A Availab l r [email protected] v U TION e akdown P motors, ) in BH U a tion: Departm e n g ov.bt h e breakdown i ing automobil e s earch aims t o d vanced diesel g a mixe d -met h study uncove r n e manageme n provide co m f te r -sales supp n ’s transport s e O N relies on In d p roducts (P o e main oi l IndianOil r at Petroleu m d Hindusta n (HPCL). o leum sector Trade (DoT ) stry, Com E ) works t f high-quali t a ining regu l e y suppliers r standing (M o  A (2025)Page 1 l eOnlineat w AllRi v .bt P roblem s Toyota, U TAN e nt of Trade, Mi n i ssues associat e e brands inclu d o identify the vehicles oper a h od approach — r s key challe n n t system faul t m parative insig ort, and polic y e ctor. d ia for all it s o L), sourcin g l marketin g Corporatio n m Corporatio n n Petroleu m Any polic y will similarl y ) within th e merce an d o ensure a t y petroleu m l ar bilatera l in India. A o U) regardin g  1 ‐13  w ww.hithaldi a ghtsReserve s of High - Hyundai , n istry of Indust ry e d with HighS d ing Tata Mot o root causes o a ting under B h — comprising v e n ges such as t s. Additional l hts. The find i y intervention s s g g n n m y y e d a m l A g the sign e Indi a the s oil c Sin c VI f are n VI b en c stat e rece i fini s Bhu t b en e Gov Inter n ISSN: 0 a .in/locate/E C d - Speed D , Mahin d ry , Commerce a n S peed Diesel ( H o rs, Toyota, H y o f frequent m e h utan’s uniqu e e hicle diagnos poor fuel c o l y, variations i i ngs highligh t s to enhance t supply of p e d with the G a . This MoU s upply of Po L ompanies. c e April 2020 f uel, meanin g n o longer av a (EURO VI) c hmark for f e s, includin g i ves fuel of t s hed product s t an lacks a n e fit from t h ernment of I n n ationalJournalo f 0 973‐6875 C CN Pag e D iesel (H S d ra, Eich e n d Employment, H SD) Euro 6c y undai, Mahi n e chanical fail u e topographic a tics data, mai n o mpatibility, i i n performanc t the need fo r t he reliability a p etroleum p G overnment provides a l e L products fr o , India has i m g that fuels b a ilable in an y is the est a f uel quality g metropolit a t he same qu a s from India . n oil refine r h is provisio n n dia. f HITTransaction o e | 1 S D) Euro e r, Kia a Royal Govern m c ompliant veh i n dra, Eicher, K u res and oper a a l, climatic, an d n tenance recor d i nadequate se r e across b ran d r localized te c a nd sustainab i roducts has of the Repu b e gal framew o o m India's p r m plemented E b elow t his st a y Indian state s a blished mi n across all I a n areas. B a lity, as we i . As noted e r y, allowing n offered b y o nECCN  6a nd m ent i cles in ia, and a tional d fueld s, and r vicing d s and c hnical i lity of been b lic of o rk for r imary E URO a ndard s . BIS n imum I ndian B hutan mport e arlier, it to y the Tshering/ Int.J.HIT.TRANSC:ECCN. Vol12: Issue 1A(2025)  ISSN:0973‐6875  Page|2 In India, the term BIS VI corresponds to EURO VI, which has a sulfur content of 10 PPM (parts per million), primarily aimed at reducing emissions of NOx and SOx, thus supporting the BIS VI vehicle model in addressing climate change. An article titled “Diesel Vehicles of Tata, Toyota, Hyundai, Mahindra, Eicher, Kia and Ashok Leyland face breakdown problems after adopting Euro 6 standard engines,” published in The Bhutanese on July 20, 2024, prompted to investigate the reasons behind the reported vehicle breakdowns. These issues could stem from either the fuel quality available in Bhutan or from mechanical failures. To determine the actual cause, comprehensive studies have been conducted, as outlined below. 2. FUEL QUALITY I have conducted research on the breakdown of Euro 6 vehicles in Bhutan, specifically examining the correlation between fuel quality and BS VI engines. Since Bhutan imports finished petroleum products, it is not possible to modify the fuel’s sulfur content, which is the key determinant of Euro 6 fuel standards. However, fuel quality may be compromised through potential adulteration with other solvents or kerosene. That said, the likelihood of kerosene adulteration is highly unlikely, given that kerosene’s market price is at par with diesel (HSD). Moreover, kerosene contamination can be easily detected when the fuel is received, as dealers are required to conduct field tests before decanting the product into underground (U/G) tanks. These field tests assess density, physical appearance, and water content in the fuel. The presence of other solvents or impurities can also be detected during these tests. Should dealers or Regional Inspectors have doubts about fuel quality; samples can be sent to the Fuel Laboratory in Thinchupangkha for further analysis based on Euro 6 fuel specifications. In Bhutan, all fuel pumps are electronic, making tampering by dealers impossible. Meter sealing is conducted by technical experts from the relevant oil companies in the presence of our Regional officials. Additionally, RoICE officials carry out regular inspections at all fuel stations to ensure fuel quality complies with BIS VI specifications. I also consulted with representatives from India’s principal oil companies to confirm the fuel quality in both India and Bhutan. Notably, numerous Euro 6 engine vehicles in India use the same fuel available in Bhutan. To definitively rule out fuel quality as the cause of vehicle breakdowns, further analysis should be conducted based on the following data. 1. Type of vehicle 2. Manufacturer Company’s name 3. EURO 6 or 4 4. If EURO VI vehicles, then last vehicle maintenance report is required 5. Fuel sample drowned from vehicle or from the underground (U/G) tanks 6. Lab report has to be validated including its accreditation, and etc The news that appeared in TheBhutanese might have been to draw attention of the fuel dealers and the vehicles dealers in Bhutan considering only 10 vehicles facing breakdown problems. it has become like blame-game vehicles dealers vs. fuel dealers and vice versa. The above findings suggested that the vehicle's breakdown may not be due to the quality of fuel that is available in Bhutan. The other possibility could be due to the vehicles engines associated with the type of Euro 6 engines. 3. BIS VI (EURO VI) VEHICLES ENGINE Most of the Euro 6 vehicles engines require a special liquid called diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which is made up of deionized water and urea. DEF helps in converting Nitrous Oxide type of emission from diesel engines into Nitrogen and Water. DEF helps in the chemical reaction that keeps these gases produced during the operation of the diesel engine out of the environment and helps in combating climate change to some extent. DEF is used with nearly every diesel engine vehicle; which is the reducing agent in the E l B B B  ISSN:0973 chemical catalytic r 6 engines . DEF but place wh i (DPF). D P remove t h from the e means t h capture H to preven t 3.1 Type s This D E incorpora t exhaust. I catalyst i n chemicall y oxide int o dioxide t h eco-frien d Nitrogen which ca n nutrient p most espe The SC R atmosphe r reduction efficient 4. H ( E mission l evel in B S Std T e pr o re fo l B S IV E T B S VI W ‐6875 reaction th a r eduction (S C . Some Euro those engin e i ch is called P F is a devi c h ese diesel p a e xhaust gas o h at DPF is d H SD particula t t their release s of Diesel E x E F emissio n t es and rea I t propagate s n to the exha u y reacted a n o nitrogen, w h at is expell e d ly. oxide contr i n lead to ma n ollution, and cially respir a R system r e that is id e reaction. T h technology H D (Heav y D ( WHTC i.e. (ET C e st o cedu l lowed Car b Mon o (gm p KW H T C 4 W HTC 4  a t occurs i n C R) systems 6 engines do e s have othe r Diesel Parti c c e which is d a rticulate ma t o f a diesel en g d evices that t es via filtrat i to the atmos p x haust Fluid n s control cts with th s DEF inje c u st stream w h n d transfor m w ater, and a l i e d in the tail p i butes to th e n y issues lik e harms in hu m a tory proble m creates an e al for a nitr h is is low co helps in b D ut y ) Emiss T World Har m C i.e. Engine b on o xide p er H ) Meth a (gm p KW H 4 .0 1.1 0 .0 0. n selective of t he euro not require r system in c ulate Filter d esigned to t ter or soot g ine, which physically i on process p here. (DEF) technology e engine’s c tion via a h ere DEF is m s nitrogen i ttle carbon p ipe and is e pollution, e acid rain, m an health, m s. oxidizing ogen oxide st and fuel attling the ion Norms T able 1: HD ( H m onized Tra n Transient C a ne er H ) NMH C m per KWH) 0 0. 5 50 0. 1 Tshering/ In t emi s tech n emi s har m cont r red u eco n 3.2 T D The SE R foll o ● R cata l ● D E or h sho u it g o mea n tran s AL L was ● U Ure a ● D inje c H eavy Duty) E m n sient-Cycl e C ycle) C (g NOx (gm pe r KWH) 5 5 3.5 0 1 6 0.46 t .J.HIT.TRAN S s sions and en v n ology ca n s sions up to m ful gases, r olling pollu t u ction, SCR a n n omy. T ypes of DE D EF people call R VO, MAK o wing proper t educes Nox l ytic convert e E F is safe to h azardous a n u lders and to e o STOP It i s n s of tran s s verse DIES L DEF parts dug and con c U rea used fo r a , it is made o D EF is NOT c ted into the e m ission Norm s e ) r PM(gm per KWH) 0 0.03 0.01 S C:ECCN. Vol 1 v ironmental d n reduce 90%, in ad d therefore t ion. In addi t n d DEF can a F and some k it as DEF, A and etc w t ies: emission by e r handle, not t n d so not h e s DOWN W s not a fuel s port it mu EL Witness e of speech c c ealed. r DEF is n o o ut of Special supplied to e xhaust pipe p s % Emis s table Carbon Monoxi de H 0 1 2: Issue 1A(2 0 Pag d estruction. S nitrogen o x d ition with o contributing t ion to poll u a lso increase k nown facts A dBlue, AU S w hich has >90 % in S t oxic, flamm a armful in h e W HICH side d additive, so st not wh e e s confirm c overed the h o t FERTILI Z Grade Urea the engine, i p reviously S C s ion Reduc t H C NOx 55 87 0 25) e|3 S CR x ide ther to u tion fuel of S 32, the S CR a ble e ad, d oes the e ther that h ole Z ER i t is C R. t ion PM 67  ISSN:0973 Other Li m PN6.0 x • Als • BS • Th e 4.1 N The Com p During c o NOx Emi s ‐6875 m its introdu c x 10 11 #/kWh; N o the result s h VI and NOx e re is a big re d N Ox Emissio n p onents of A i o mbustion, th e s sions reduc t  c ed in BS V I N H3 – 10 ppm h ows that bo t emission we r d uction on H C n Formation i r are N 2 (Nit r e cylinder te m t ion: Fi g I standard a r t h BS IV & B r e reduced b y C and PM e m r ogen) = 79 % m perature is v g ure 1:Exhaus t Tshering/ In t r e: B S VI heavy d y 87% m issions simu l % and O 2 (Ox y v ery High (>1 t Gas Recircul t .J.HIT.TRAN S d uty emissio n l taneously. y gen) = 21% b 500 °C) ation (EGR) S C:ECCN. Vol 1 n norms neutr a b y volume. 1 2: Issue 1A(2 0 Pag a l to fuel 0 25) e|4  ISSN:0973 5. W ‐6875 W HAT IS TH E  E MEANING O O F SCR? Figure 2 Tshering/ In t 2 : Meaning of S t .J.HIT.TRAN S S CR S C:ECCN. Vol 1 1 2: Issue 1A(2 0 Pag 0 25) e|5  ISSN:0973 5.1 Se A: Su p ‐6875 lective Cat a Fi g p pl y system ; F  a l y tic Redu c F g ure 4: Bosch ; B: Dosin g F igure 5: Supp c tion - (Ex h F igure 3: Sele c Denoxtronic u system; C: ly system; B: D Tshering/ In t h aust Gas A c tive Catalytic u rea injection s y In j ection n o D osing syste m t .J.HIT.TRAN S fter–treat m Reduction y stem - Major o zzle unit m ; C: Injection n S C:ECCN. Vol 1 m ent) components n ozzle uni t 1 2: Issue 1A(2 0 Pag 0 25) e|6 Tshering/ Int.J.HIT.TRANSC:ECCN. Vol12: Issue 1A(2025)  ISSN:0973‐6875  Page|7 6. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF DEF  Name: AUS-32  Aqueous Urea Solution containing urea of 32.5% by weight Other names given by various Companies in India  AdBlue – Trademark of VDA (German Automobile Manufacturers Association)  DEF – Commonly called as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in countries like USA and others Quality standards (specification)  DIN 70070 : 2005  ISO 22241 : 2019  IS 17042 : 2018 6.1: AUS 32 - Quality Requirements as per standard ISO 22241-1 Table 2: AUS 32 - Quality Requirements as per standard ISO 22241-1 Urea content 31.8 – 33.2 % by weight Alkalinity as NH3 maximum 0.20 % by weight Biuret maximum 0.30 % by weight Insoluble maximum 20.0 mg per kg Aldehyde maximum 5.0 mg per kg Phosphate (PO4) maximum 0.50 mg per kg Aluminum maximum 0.50 mg per kg Calcium maximum 0.50 mg per kg Iron maximum 0.50 mg per kg Copper maximum 0.20 mg per kg Zinc maximum 0.20 mg per kg Chromium maximum 0.20 mg per kg Nickel maximum 0.20 mg per kg Magnesium maximum 0.50 mg per kg Sodium maximum 0.50 mg per kg Potassium maximum 0.50 mg per kg Density at 20°C 1087.0 - 1093.0 kg/m3 Refractive index at 20°C 1.3814 - 1.3843 ( - ) Identity identical to reference ( - ) 6.2: Quality of DEF is important: A. Use of Contaminated / Off-specification of DEF will lead to following issues  The development of deposits within the urea supply and dosing system.  Clogging of injectors.  Suffocation of a catalyst causing irreversible harm or decline in productivity.  SCR System warranty is null and void  Certificate of Fitness was denied  ISSN:0973 6.3: Ra w Technica l ● Industri ● Free of ● Free of Pure W ● Water w distillat i Seriou s ‐6875 w Materials l ly pure ure a al grade Ure a aldehydes or contaminant s W ater is: w hich is ve r i on, deionisa t s destruction  a is: a produced w i other substa n s such as sulf u r y low in i n t ion, ultra-filt r to the ecosy s i th traces of b n ces such as a u r and its co m n organic, or g r ation or rev e Prod u Figure 6: s tem: Tshering/ In t b iuret, ammo n a nticaking ag e m pounds, Chl o g anic or col l e rse osmosis. u ction of D E Production o f t .J.HIT.TRAN S n ia and wate r e nt and o ride, Nitrat e l oidal conta m E F f DEF S C:ECCN. Vol 1 r only, e or other co m m inants, pro d 1 2: Issue 1A(2 0 Pag m pounds d uced by si n 0 25) e|8 n gle Tshering/ Int.J.HIT.TRANSC:ECCN. Vol12: Issue 1A(2025)  ISSN:0973‐6875  Page|9 6.4: DEF - Test Equipments and Methods Table 3: DEF - Test Equipments and Methods Characteristics Test Method Measurement Method Equipment Urea ISO 22241-2 Annex B Total nitrogen Method Automatic nitrogen analyzer Density at 20°C ISO 3675 or ISO 12185 Specific gravity method or Oscillation frequency method Glass hydrometer or U-tube density meter Refractive index at 20°C ISO 22241-2 Annex C Refractive index ** Refractometer Alkalinity as NH3 ISO 22241-2 Annex D Potentiometric titration of free ammonia Potentiometer Insolubles ISO 22241-2 Annex G Gravimetric method Analytical balance Biuret ISO 22241-2 Annex E Photometric method Spectrophotometer Aldehyde ISO 22241-2 Annex F Photometric method for Formaldehyde Phosphate (PO4) ISO 22241-2 Annex H Photometric method or Spectrometry Method Spectrophotometer /ICP Calcium ISO 22241-2 Annex I Spectrometry Method Inductively Coupled PlasmaOptical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Iron Copper Zinc Chromium Nickel Aluminium Magnesium Sodium Potassium Identity ISO 22241-2 Annex J IR spectrometry IR spectrometer or FTIR ** For Urea content - Refractive index method can be used for urea content.