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In a setback to the automobile industry, already under pressure because of declining sales, the government has notified mandatory fuel efficiency norms that would push up their production costs. At the same time, the move, once implemented, is likely to reduce the carbon footprint of the automobile industry. It is the first time that such norms have been introduced. Of the more than 80 car models plying on Indian roads at present, only around eight comply with these standards. Under the new norms, the industry will have to ensure that the mileage of cars on Indian roads improves by 10% by 2021.The second phase, for which the government did not specify a deadline, will begin from 2022 and targets a fuel efficiency improvement by 30%.