The 2.0-litre diesel ban in Delhi-NCR has been affecting a majority of automakers in the country. German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has filed a petition in Supreme Court seeking a lift on the diesel ban. The automaker is also willing to pay one per cent of environment cess which will be deposited in the Apex Court. A hearing in this regard is scheduled on August 12.
It is to be seen if Mercedes-Benz will bear the expenses or shall it pass it on the customers. The Delhi-NCR region has been a potential market for the luxury automaker, which has been severely affected post the ban as all the diesel cars from the company are powered by over 2.0-litre engine options. The Delhi-NCR region accounts for about 28 per cent of its overall sales which has been severely affected post the ban.
It is to be seen if the Supreme Court will consider lifting the ban, subject to levying a one-time environment compensation cess. The Central Government has however strongly opposed the ban and has sought a time of about six weeks to conduct a study on the impact on environment from diesel vehicles. More details about the same will be known post the upcoming hearing.
