JCB India Leads Unified Industry Move Toward Tougher Emission Standards for Construction Equipment

Deepak Shetty, CEO and Managing Director of JCB India, has emphasized that there is full consensus within the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (ICEMA) on implementing stricter emission norms across the industry. Speaking at a press conference, Shetty highlighted ICEMA’s proactive approach, including its own appeal to the government to bring non-wheeled construction machinery—such as crawler excavators and tracked pavers—under emission regulation, as these machines currently operate without any emissions standards.

Shetty contrasted ICEMA’s unified stance with the division seen in the passenger vehicle sector, where automakers differ over granting weight-based exemptions under upcoming fuel efficiency norms. He pointed out that while wheeled construction equipment has complied with the Bharat Stage CEV Stage 5 emission norms since January 1, 2025, non-wheeled machines remain unregulated, resulting in “excavators spewing all the muck” adjacent to compliant wheeled machines. ICEMA’s request aims to extend environmental responsibility and enhance sustainability within the sector.

Implementing emission norms for non-wheeled equipment is also an economic imperative. Shetty explained that without such standards, Indian manufacturers must import advanced components for emission-compliant non-wheeled machines, making domestic products less competitive internationally. Adoption of norms would catalyze the domestic supply chain development, promote cost advantages, and open access to global markets like Europe, expanding export opportunities.

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JCB India reported expected export volumes of about 11,500 units in 2025, down from 14,000 in 2024 primarily due to a 50% tariff imposed by the US. However, the company is redirecting shipments to growing markets in Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, projecting strong export growth in 2026. Domestically, sales are forecast to dip to around 47,000 units in 2025 from 50,250 in 2024, impacted by delayed payments to contractors, prolonged monsoon seasons, and slower road projects.

Looking forward, Shetty remains optimistic about recovering growth, citing anticipated rural activity increases and accelerated infrastructure developments such as those by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. A combined push for strict environmental norms and infrastructure expansion is expected to drive the industry into a new phase of sustainability and competitiveness.

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